The families of the four victims tragically killed in the University of Idaho student massacre have issued a heartfelt message to the judge regarding the plea deal granted to Bryan Kohberger.
Kohberger, a criminology graduate, is scheduled for sentencing next month after being charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary related to the 2022 cold-blooded killings of Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, along with 20-year-olds Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.
On November 13, 2022, all four students were discovered dead in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, which they shared with roommates Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke—both of whom were present during the attack.
The murders are believed to have occurred between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m., after which the masked killer fled. Mortensen was the only witness to see the intruder, whom he described as a masked man with “bushy eyebrows.”
Now, the 30-year-old suspect has reportedly accepted a judge’s plea deal, which would result in four consecutive life sentences plus up to 10 years for burglary.
This deal means Kohberger would avoid the death penalty—something that has angered the Goncalves family, who have accused the Latah County Prosecutor’s Office of rushing the case and mishandling it.
The family released a statement: “We were vaguely informed about a possible plea on Friday without any input sought from us, and the plea was presented on Sunday.
“Latah County should be ashamed of its Prosecutor’s Office. Four wonderful young people lost their lives, yet the victims’ families were treated as adversaries from the beginning. We weren’t even contacted about the plea; instead, we received an email with a letter attached.
“That’s how the Latah County Prosecutor’s Office treats families of murder victims. To make matters worse, they are rushing the plea process, giving families just one day to prepare and attend the courthouse for the plea hearing on July 2.”
The statement continued: “After more than two years, this case ends with a secretive deal and a hasty effort to close the case without consulting the victims’ families about the plea terms.
“Our family is frustrated now, but we will come together as always and face the reality ahead.”
The plea deal comes just a month before jury selection was set to begin on August 4, with the trial scheduled to start on August 18.
The victims’ families are reportedly planning to appeal the plea agreement.
In response to the plea, state prosecutors said: “This resolution is our sincere attempt to seek justice for your family.
“This agreement guarantees the defendant’s conviction, ensures he will spend his life in prison, and spares the families from the prolonged uncertainty of decades of appeals.
“Your opinions were a significant factor in our decision, and we hope you come to understand why we believe this resolution serves the best interests of justice.”
