Overview of The Megyn Kelly Show Episode 1369
This episode covers three major storylines: Bryan Kohberger’s bid to withdraw his guilty plea in the Idaho student murders case, a heated discussion about Islamist terror attacks and immigration in Europe with Dan Wootton, and the ongoing saga of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship with the British royal family. Megyn Kelly is joined by Howard Blum, Mark Geragos, and Ashleigh Merchant for the Kohberger legal analysis, then pivots to Wootton for a blunt cultural and political conversation.
Bryan Kohberger Tries to Withdraw His Guilty Plea
Kohberger, who previously pleaded guilty to the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, is now trying to undo that plea and claim innocence.
What he’s arguing
- He submitted a handwritten filing claiming:
- ineffective assistance of counsel
- coercion and false promises
- withheld exculpatory evidence
- He also told the New York Times he has an “absolute claim of innocence.”
- His filing suggests he was misled about what life without parole would actually be like.
Key evidence and questions raised
Howard Blum focused on unresolved issues that he believes the prosecution never fully answered:
- the tight timeline for the killings
- possible cleanup or staging of the crime scene
- unknown male DNA found in various places
- the knife sheath evidence and hair-related questions involving Ethan Chapin
Blum also floated the idea that Kohberger may eventually reveal more and that there could have been an accomplice, though he frames this as an open question rather than a certainty.
Legal panel reaction
Mark Geragos and Ashleigh Merchant were highly skeptical of Kohberger’s chances:
- Geragos said Kohberger’s plea colloquy is hard to overcome because he admitted guilt in court.
- Merchant called the prison-condition complaints weak and said no lawyer would promise contact visits or a cushy prison life.
- Both noted that if Kohberger claims ineffective counsel, his defense attorneys may be able to respond directly.
- Merchant said he may get appointed counsel for the post-conviction fight, but he still carries the burden of proving a real legal basis to undo the plea.
Victims’ families and the plea
The discussion also returned to criticism of the original plea deal:
- Some victims’ family members, especially Steve Gonsalves, have expressed frustration with the process.
- Geragos argued the absence of a full allocution left too many unanswered questions.
- The panel agreed the case remains emotionally and legally explosive even after the plea.
Dan Wootton on Islamist Terror, Europe, and Immigration
In the next segment, Dan Wootton reacts to recent knife attacks and terror incidents in Europe, arguing that officials and media outlets are too reluctant to describe them as Islamist attacks.
Main points from Wootton
- He said attacks in Berlin and Paris show a pattern of authorities avoiding clear language about Islamist extremism.
- He argued that Europe’s political and media class is minimizing the threat.
- He criticized what he called a left-wing tendency to blame conservatives, Christians, or Donald Trump rather than Islamist ideology.
- He warned that immigration and demographic change are driving a major cultural and political backlash in the U.K.
Megyn’s response
Kelly pushed back somewhat by emphasizing:
- the importance of distinguishing peaceful Muslims from radical Islamists
- the need to name ideological violence without painting all Muslims with a broad brush
Broader takeaway
The segment was framed as a warning that Europe is entering a dangerous phase of political polarization around religion, immigration, and public safety.
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and the Royal Family
Wootton then turned to the ongoing royal drama, focusing on Meghan Markle’s media appearances, Harry’s frustrations, and what he described as the family’s continuing need for royal brand relevance.
Clive Alderton’s exit
Wootton claimed that Sir Clive Alderton, King Charles’s long-time aide, is leaving in part because he had been resisting efforts to bring Harry and Meghan closer to the royal fold.
Meghan’s latest publicity push
Wootton criticized Meghan for:
- appearing on MasterChef Australia
- using her Duchess title in the segment
- trying to leverage royal imagery and status for commercial value
He also argued that her visit to Althorp, Princess Diana’s family estate, and the photos posted there were a deliberate attempt to use Diana’s memory as a media and branding asset.
Harry’s motivations
According to Wootton:
- Harry wants back into the royal sphere because money and relevance have faded elsewhere.
- Meghan and Harry are still chasing a lucrative royal-adjacent media strategy.
- Wootton believes Harry may eventually use Princess Diana’s story as material for a future documentary project.
Oprah revisit
The conversation also revisited Oprah Winfrey’s famous Meghan interview:
- Kelly and Wootton agreed Oprah failed to challenge Meghan’s claims properly.
- They noted Oprah’s later discomfort when asked about being “silent or silenced.”
- Their view was that the interview became a defining example of soft journalism and image management.
Main Takeaways
- Kohberger’s plea withdrawal appears legally uphill, but the case continues to generate attention because of lingering questions about the crime, the evidence, and the plea process.
- The legal panel thinks Kohberger’s current claims are weak, especially given his prior in-court admission of guilt.
- Dan Wootton’s segment was a forceful warning about Islamist terror and immigration in Europe, presented as a cultural and political crisis.
- The royal discussion centered on Meghan and Harry’s dependence on royal relevance, with Wootton arguing they are trying to monetize their connection to the monarchy even as they publicly distance themselves from it.