CNN cut off White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt after just seconds Wednesday as she launched into a press conference with wild claims about Idaho killer Brian Kohberger.
Kohberger had been forced to listen as his victims' families and friends spoke of their loss and grief due to his murderous rampage at the University of Idaho in 2022 before his sentencing.
Before handing him life in prison for killing students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, the judge lamented that he couldn't force Kohberger to explain why he committed his horrific acts.
The White House, however, claimed that President Donald Trump would have gotten the answers out of Kohberger.
Leavitt made the statement shortly after the sentencing.
"We are so sorry for the grief and the pain you have experienced at the hands of such a vicious and evil killer," Leavitt said. "Our nation grieves with you and we will never forget the precious souls who were lost in this horrific act of evil. If it were up to the president, he would have forced this monster to publicly explain why he chose to steal these innocent souls."
CNN cut away from the briefing and put Leavitt right on her statement.
"I mean, is there any legal basis for that statement?" host Jim Sciutto asked attorney Joey Jackson.
"So, Jim, there's not," Jackson said.
Jackson explained that an "allocution" is a court procedure where a defendant must verbally enter a plea and answer specific questions to show he's competent.
"Did you do this? Are you accepting responsibility or at least admitting to the murders that you committed?" Jackson said. "There has to be answers to those questions. But at a sentencing, you have no obligation to speak and cannot be compelled to."
Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday, "These were vicious murders, with so many questions left unanswered. While Life Imprisonment is tough, it’s certainly better than receiving the Death Penalty but, before Sentencing, I hope the Judge makes Kohberger, at a minimum, explain why he did these horrible murders.
"There are no explanations, there is no NOTHING. People were shocked that he was able to plea bargain, but the Judge should make him explain what happened."
