Kohberger pleads guilty to killing four U of I students

Bryan Kohberger admitted to killing four University of Idaho students at a change of plea hearing held July 2 at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, pleading guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.

The plea deal spares Kohberger the possibility of the death penalty. Instead, he’ll be sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for the murder of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. Kohberger will also serve the maximum penalty of 10 years for the burglary count.

At the hearing, Kohberger was asked if he “killed and murdered” each victim, naming the four students. He responded “yes” each time.

The killings occurred in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, in Moscow, Idaho.

While prosecutors called the plea a “sincere attempt to seek justice” for the families, some relatives of the victims have spoken out against it.

Steve Goncalves said outside of court that the prosecution “made a deal with the devil” and that he feels like he let his daughter, Kaylee, down.

The Goncalves family shared with ABC News that they asked the prosecution for a full confession by Kohberger, as well as the location of the alleged murder weapon, described as a KA-BAR-style hunting knife, which was never found.

The Mogen family stated they support the plea agreement, calling it “… the best outcome possible,” and saying that they now “have closure” and can “turn from tragedy and mourning … to the light of the future.”