Two days before the sentencing hearing for Idaho killer, Brian Kohberger, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to complain that the Judge should make Kohberger explain why he carried out the murders. Of course, many might wonder why the President of the United States isn’t even remotely interested in releasing the FBI investigation into the attempt on his life last July 13th at Butler, PA? But putting that aside for the moment, let’s consider what actually may be behind Kohberger’s deadly actions and has been covered up by the judicial process.
Brian Kohberger has a long mental health record. Yep. What is known is that his attorneys report that, at a minimum, Kohberger suffers from Autism and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). His attorneys have let the jury know about these psychiatric disorders so it will understand Kohberger’s weird, distant, courtroom demeanor. And apparently the killer also suffers from a “developmental coordination disorder,” that according to his attorneys, would impact Kohberger’s ability to carry out the murderous crime in the alleged time frame.
Here’s the rub. Kohberger has quite a mental health history that has been suppressed by the court when, just prior to the trial, District Judge Steven Hippler sealed Kohberger’s mental health records “to protect the privacy of the information.” According to court records “the information subject to this Protective Order is confidential in nature and not appropriate for public disclosure at this time…”
What is so “confidential in nature” and “not appropriate for public disclosure” when it comes to the mental health history of a man who allegedly committed horrific murders of four innocent college kids? In Kohberger’s case, the only people allowed to see his mental health records, besides his own defense, are the prosecutors assigned to the case and they are prohibited from sharing any of that information with the public. And, ironically, while Kohberger’s mental health records remain confidential, under Idaho sentencing guidelines, Kohberger’s defense team can use his mental health as a factor.
So, to answer President Trump’s weird input into the sentencing of the admitted Idaho killer, because Kohberger’s mental health records have been hidden, there is no way to fully understand what transpired that awful night. But if his reported OCD was “treated” it’s possible to guess that the killer had been prescribed antidepressants and may be antipsychotics.
Based on information made available early in the investigation, ABC News reported that Kohberger suffered from “visual snow syndrome (VSS),” and as a teenager Kohberger posted on a forum extremely telling behavior issues that certainly were known and one would assume treated. The following are some of Kohberger’s alleged posts. They tell all.
In 2009 Kohberger allegedly writes, “I have had VS [visual snow] since september 21st of 2009. Since then I have changed, mainly from the anxiety and sense of derealization and hopelessness.”
In 2011 Kohberger allegedly writes “depression, no interest in activity, constant thoughts of suicide, crazy thoughts, delusions of grandeur, anxiety, poor self image, poor social skills, NO EMOTION.” The post concluded: “When I get home, I am mean to my family. This started when VS did. I felt no emotion and along with the depersonalization, I can say and do whatever I want with little remorse.”
Also, in 2011 Kohberger explains, “I have had this horrible Depersonalization go on in my life for almost 2 years. I often find myself making simple human interactions, but it is as if I am playing a role playing game. … As I hug my family, I look into their faces, I see nothing, it is like I am looking at a video game, but less. … I am blank, I have no opinion, I have no emotion, I have nothing.”
There is little doubt that Kohberger was suffering from and probably diagnosed with several mental disorders in his youth. And, when there is a psychiatric diagnosis, mind-altering drugs usually follow. So, the question that remains is what diagnoses were ascribed to Kohberger, and how many different psychiatric mind-altering drugs has Kohberger been prescribed in his life? Additionally, it is important to point out that VSS can actually be caused by antidepressant use.
The defense and prosecution know all this information. Too often, like in the case of the Tennessee mass murderer, Audrey Hale, and so many other killers, the history of psychiatric drug use and mental disorders is withheld from the public. Until this information is made part of all these trials, the public will never understand what is turning the nation’s kids into killers.
President Trump’s suggestion that “the Judge should make him explain what happened” is misguided. The President should be asking the Judge to unseal Kohberger’s mental health records and medication history. Of course, the same could be requested about the alleged shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, and his mental health records.
AbleChild is a 501(3) C nonprofit organization that has recently co-written landmark legislation in Tennessee, setting a national precedent for transparency and accountability in the intersection of mental health, pharmaceutical practices, and public safety.
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