Goncalves family wants to refund donations after Kohberger plea deal
Share this @internewscast.com

()  The family of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves wants to refund more than $85,000 they received on a GoFundMe that was created to support their expenses during Bryan Kohberger’s capital murder trial.

Steve Goncalves, Kaylee’s father, told TMZ that he does not want to mislead the public who donated, stating he won’t “bait and switch these beautiful people like (Latah County Prosecutor) Bill Thompson did to our family.”

Kohberger’s murder trial in the slayings of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin had been slated to begin in August. However, he accepted a surprise plea deal that took the death penalty off the table. He will now serve life in prison without parole. He is now scheduled to be formally sentenced on July 23.

The Goncalves family noted that “many people have been talking” about the family’s GoFundMe page, which was created to support their expenses to travel for Kohberger’s trial.

Kaylee Goncalves

“Please give me time to figure out the best way to do this. I can’t just ask gofundme to reimburse everyone, as the money has already been deposited into my bank account, and is no longer held by gofundme,” the family wrote in a statement on Facebook.

Many families of the victims had planned on living in Boise, Idaho, for the duration of the trial.

The victims’ families have been divided on the plea. The Goncalves family has criticized the deal, calling it hurried and secretive.

A family member of one victim told that upon hearing of the plea deal, she felt like “all the power had been given back to Kohberger.”

“This is the opposite of our will,” Steve Goncalves told ’s “Banfield” in his first national interview since the plea deal report. “There was no majority (of victims’ survivors) believing that this was acceptable.”

’s Ashleigh Banfield, Patrick Djordjevic, Damita Menezes and Safia Samee Ali contributed to this story.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Heartfelt Halloween Reunion: Carle Nurses Reconnect with Former Patients at Special Trick-or-Treat Event

URBANA, Ill. — The corridors of Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana were…

Job Hunt Anxiety Skyrockets: New Survey Reveals Growing American Concerns

(The Hill) — A growing number of Americans are expressing anxiety about…

82-Year-Old Poised to Become Oldest Individual to Ascend to Mt. Everest Base Camp

In an inspiring display of endurance and determination, 82-year-old David McClung from…

Politicians Weigh In: The Impact and Significance of ‘No Kings Day

In a nationwide wave of activism, millions of Americans gathered for “No…

High-Speed Motorcycle Pursuit in North Augusta Concludes with Fatal Crash

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – A high-speed pursuit on Edgefield Road in North…

Manhunt Underway: JCPD Seeks Suspect in Waffle House Shooting Incident

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Authorities in Johnson City are intensifying their search…

Central Illinois Eases Burn Bans Following Weekend Rainfall: What Residents Need to Know

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Following a welcome downpour over the weekend, several…

Nicholas Rossi Receives 5-Year to Life Sentence in Salt Lake County Rape Case

Editor’s Note: This article discusses topics of rape and sexual assault, which…

Trump Administration Backs Alina Habba’s Role as Leading New Jersey Prosecutor

PHILADELPHIA – On Monday, a federal appeals court will deliberate on whether…

RFK Jr. Set to Announce New Recommendations Supporting Increased Saturated Fat Intake

The Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative could soon lead to…

South Korea Targets Arrest of Numerous Online Scam Suspects Returned from Cambodia

SEOUL – In a significant legal move, South Korean authorities are pushing…

High Humidity Persists Despite Dry Monday: What to Expect in the Week Ahead

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to persist until around 10 p.m.…