Defense Motion in Limine 4 - Psychopath Sociopath Terms

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Named in this document

  • Bicka Barlow Person
  • Bryan Kohberger Person
  • Jay Logsdon Person
  • Anne Taylor Person
  • Elsa G. Massoth Person
  • Jennifer Keyes Person
  • John Edens Person
  • Mr. Nye Person
Electronically Filed
2/24/2025 4:54 PM

Fourth Judicial District, Ada County Trent Tripple, Clerk of the Court Anne Taylor Law, PLLC By: Jennifer Keyes, Deputy Clerk Anne C. Taylor, Attorney at Law PO Box 2347 Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83816
Phone: (208) 512-9611 iCourt Email: info@annetaylorlaw.com Elisa G. Massoth, PLLC Attorney at Law P.O. Box 1003 Payette, Idaho 83661
Phone: (208) 642-3797; Fax: (208)642-3799 Bicka Barlow Pro Hac Vice 2358 Market Street San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (415) 553-4110 Assigned Attorney:
Anne C. Taylor, Attorney at Law, Bar Number: 5836 Elisa G. Massoth, Attorney at Law, Bar Number: 5647 Bicka Barlow, Attorney at Law, CA Bar Number: 178723 Jay W. Logsdon, First District Public Defender, Bar Number: 8759
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF THE
STATE OF IDAHO, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF ADA

STATE OF IDAHO, CASE NUMBER CR01-24-31665

Plaintiff,
MOTION IN LIMINE # 4

V.

BRYAN C. KOHBERGER, RE: USING THE TERMS

PSYCHOPATH OR SOCIOPATH

Defendant.

COMES NOW, Bryan C. Kohberger, by and through his attorneys of record, and hereby moves the Court for an Order prohibiting the state from name calling. Specifically, this motion seeks to bar the use of the terms “ psychopath ” and “ sociopath ”.

MOTION IN LIMINE # 4 RE: USING THE TERMS PSYCHOPATH OR SOCIΟΡΑΤΗ Page 1

This motion is made pursuant to I.C.R. 47, I.R.E. 403,701-704, the Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 13 of the Idaho Constitution.

I.R.E. 403 allows exclusion of evidence that is unfairly prejudicial to a party. By analogy the same principle should apply to terminology that is unfairly prejudicial. The use of the word " psychopath " or “ sociopath ” during the course of the trial is unfairly prejudicial. See attached affidavit of Dr. John Edens¹.

This is improper opinion testimony under I.R.E. 701-704. Neither term is a proper diagnosis and is unequivocally unfairly prejudicial. Mr. Kohberger requests an order prohibiting the lawyers and witnesses from using the words “ psychopath, ” and “ sociopath ”.

DATED this 24 day of February, 2025.

BY:

ANNE C. TAYLOR

ANNE TAYLOR LAW, PLLC

CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY

I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was personally served as indicated below on the 24 day of February, 2025 addressed to:
Latah County Prosecuting Attorney -via Email: paservice@latahcountyid.gov
Elisa Massoth-via Email: legalassistant@kmrs.net Jay Logsdon – via Email: Jay.Logsdon@spd.idaho.gov Bicka Barlow, Attorney at Law – via Email: bickabarlow@sbcglobal.net Jeffery Nye, Deputy Attorney General – via Email: Jeff.nye@ag.idaho.gov Dul 1 Motion in Limine # 4 Exhibit 1-Affidavit of John Edens
MOTION IN LIMINE # 4 RE: USING THE TERMS PSYCHOPATH OR SOCIOPATH Page 2