() Families of the four University of Idaho students killed in November 2022 are divided over a plea agreement that would spare Bryan Kohberger from the death penalty, with some supporting the deal while others angrily oppose it.
Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University, faces murder charges for the deaths of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin, who were killed at an off-campus house near the University of Idaho on Nov. 13, 2022.
Steve Goncalves, father of victim Kaylee Goncalves, called the plea deal “anything but justice” and said there was “no majority believing that this was acceptable.” However, Stacy Chapin, mother of victim Ethan Chapin, tells she supports the agreement and plans to attend Wednesday’s hearing in favor of the deal.
Ben Mogen, father of victim Madison Mogen, told CBS News he was “relieved” to receive notification of the plea agreement, calling it justice: “We can actually put this behind us and not have these future dates and future things that we don’t want to have to be at.”
The plea deal calls for Kohberger to plead guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in exchange for life in prison without parole, avoiding the death penalty. Several families reportedly learned about the agreement through email notifications.
Judge Steven Hippler will decide Wednesday whether to accept the plea agreement. Legal experts say the judge could ask Kohberger detailed questions about the murders to ensure he understands what he’s pleading guilty to, potentially providing families with answers about the killings.
Goncalves has criticized prosecutors for not consulting families before accepting the deal, which came just weeks before Kohberger’s murder trial was scheduled to begin. The agreement does not require Kohberger to provide details about his motive or reveal the location of the murder weapon.
Chapin, whose son was a triplet, said she is focused on her other two children and moving forward.
The case has drawn national attention since the four students were stabbed to death at an off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger was arrested weeks later at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania.
According to court documents, Kohberger’s defense team approached prosecutors last week requesting a plea offer. The Latah County Prosecutor’s Office said in a letter to families that the agreement “ensures that the defendant will be convicted, will spend the rest of his life in prison, and will not be able to put you and the other families through the uncertainty of decades of post-conviction appeals.”
A sentencing hearing is expected at the end of the month, where families will be able to deliver victim impact statements.
