Bryan Kohberger pleads guilty to avoid death penalty in U of Idaho killings
Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four Idaho college students in 2022, will reportedly plead guilty to all counts to be spared the death penalty.
Guilty pleas
A report from ABC News says a letter announcing Kohberger’s guilty plea was sent to the victims’ family members. He’ll be sentenced to four consecutive life sentences and waive all rights to an appeal.
A court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2.
Kohberger is charged with stabbing and killing University of Idaho roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin.
Goncalves’ family appeared to react to the news on their Facebook page and were clearly unhappy with the reported deal.
“It’s true! We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us. Please give us some time. This was very unexpected. We appreciate all your love and support,” the family wrote on Facebook.
The plea deal comes weeks before Kohberger’s trial was supposed to begin. Jury selection was scheduled for August 4, with opening statements set for August 18.
Quadruple murder
The violent murder happened on November 13, 2022, at an off-campus house in the small college town of Moscow, Idaho. Two roommates inside survived.
Police arrested Kohberger after a nearly two-month manhunt and found him at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania. They found dark clothes, knives and criminology books at the house.
Authorities narrowed the focus onto Kohberger after reportedly tracing his ownership to a white Hyundai Elantra seen in the area of the killings and a DNA match to genetic material at the house where the murders occurred.
Kohberger was a Ph.D. student in criminology at Washington State University, located approximately ten minutes from the University of Idaho.
So far, authorities have still not identified a possible motive for the killings.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
