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

Maine Political Landscape Shifts: Senate Candidate Exits Race to Compete in Crucial House Primary

PORTLAND, Maine – The Democratic primary race to challenge Republican Senator Susan…

Transgender Air Force Veterans File Lawsuit Over Denied Retirement Benefits

WASHINGTON – A collective of 17 transgender Air Force personnel has taken…

Eastman Credit Union Grants Magical Disney Wish for Make-A-Wish Recipient: A Heartwarming Journey

In Kingsport, Tennessee, a heartwarming scene unfolded at Eastman Credit Union where…

Triumphant Triumph: Dobyns-Bennett Chosen to Champion Tennessee at 2024 Special Olympics USA Games

Four exceptional athletes from Dobyns-Bennett High School’s Unified Track and Field team…

Small Businesses Face Unprecedented Challenges Amid Historic Government Shutdown

NEW YORK – As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history teeters…

Suspected Solo Heist Targets Roman Statues at Syria’s Premier Museum

DAMASCUS – Officials revealed on Wednesday that the recent theft of several…

Court to Review Legitimacy of Prosecutor in James Comey and Letitia James Case

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Attorneys representing two prominent adversaries of former President Donald…

Can You Get in Trouble for Backing into a Parking Space in Florida? Trooper Steve Explains

ORLANDO, Fla. – Every week, News 6’s traffic safety expert, Trooper Steve…

Child Contacts 911 After Father Allegedly Smokes Heroin, Reports Volusia Sheriff

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – An 8-year-old boy is being hailed as a…

Griffith Expresses Significant Concerns Over Provision in Bill Ending Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON (WJHL) — Congressman Morgan Griffith from Southwest Virginia has expressed significant…

Government Reopening: Key Details You Need to Know After Unprecedented Shutdown

The United States House of Representatives took a decisive step on Wednesday…

Two Suspects Charged in Connection with Kingsport Homicide Investigation

Two individuals are facing charges after a man was discovered deceased in…