Survivor Asks Court to Pause Video Release
Dylan Mortensen, a survivor of the University of Idaho student killings, is seeking to block the release of footage showing her face.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Dylan Mortensen asked a Latah County judge to pause an order granting release of video and images showing her face. Her attorney, Robyn McPherson, filed a motion to intervene last week, and a hearing on the matter is scheduled for Nov. 12.
Why it matters
Mortensen says she has moved nine times since November 2022 and uses an alias in daily life, and she fears recognition from appearing in photos or videos. Her counsel argues that an unblurred release would be an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
The Oct. 20 order granting release of records remains under challenge, with Mortensen's motion asking for a stay and an in-camera review. A hearing on the matter is set for Nov. 12, and the outcome will determine whether the footage is released.
The players
Dylan Mortensen
Mortensen is a survivor of the University of Idaho student killings who has relocated nine times since 2022 and uses an alias to protect her identity.
Bryan Kohberger
Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to the University of Idaho student killings and later tried to withdraw that plea earlier this year.
Megan Marshall
Marshall is the Latah County judge who agreed to release previously held records from EWU Media LLC on Oct. 20.
The details
Mortensen's attorney asked Moscow authorities to identify the withheld records and prepare a detailed index. Her counsel argues that releasing an unblurred version would be an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
Timeline
Nov. 13, 2022: Police responded to the 1122 King Road murders in Moscow.
Aug. 28, 2025: EWU filed a public records request, which was at least partially denied.
Oct. 20: Judge Megan Marshall granted release of previously held records from EWU Media LLC.
Nov. 12: Hearing scheduled on the records release matter.
Dec. 10: Kohberger is due in court for a hearing on his petition for post-conviction relief.
Legal Context
The fight over records from the 2022 University of Idaho killings reflects how survivors' privacy claims are weighed against public records law in the aftermath of a high-profile case. Mortensen's motion follows Bryan Kohberger's July 2025 guilty plea, which kept the case in the courts long after the killings.
Residents of Moscow may see further court proceedings and public debate over the release of investigative records tied to the 2022 killings. The outcome could shape how records connected to local crimes are handled in future requests.
The takeaway
Privacy protections for survivors can conflict with public records obligations, and courts are being asked to balance the two. Readers following the case should watch the Nov. 12 hearing for how the judge weighs those interests.
What happens next
A hearing on the records release matter is scheduled for Nov. 12, and Kohberger is due in court for a post-conviction relief hearing on Dec. 10.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Sex Crimes for context on related legal and privacy disputes.
