Bryan Kohberger has pleaded guilty to murdering four University of Idaho students. He got a deal to avoid the death penalty. Families are split over this decision. Some see it as justice, others call it a betrayal.
The killer admitted to stabbing Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen. He will get four life sentences plus ten years. This means he will die in prison without parole. He also gave up his right to ever appeal the decision.
Madison Mogen’s family fully supports the plea deal. Their lawyer Leander James said so outside the courthouse. He read a statement from the Mogens backing the agreement completely. They believe this is the right outcome for everyone involved.
The Mogen family called this a path to “hope and healing.” They urged critics to respect their stance. James stressed they want to move forward from the tragedy. Their focus is now on recovery, not more court battles.
Kaylee Goncalves’ father Steve blasted the plea deal. He says prosecutors rushed it through without proper input. Goncalves claims leadership failed families seeking justice. He feels betrayed no one called him before the deal was made.
Steve Goncalves called prosecutors “weak” for making this agreement. He said evidence handlers failed the victims. The father had met regularly with prosecutors before this surprise. Now he feels justice was traded away too cheaply.
Ethan Chapin’s family has not spoken publicly about the plea. But earlier they shared their deep pain over losing him. His triplet brother described the awful moment he learned of the murders. Their mother recalled a heartbreaking phone call in a grocery store.
The case ends without a trial, dividing those left behind. Some families find closure while others see justice denied. A killer avoids death but will rot behind bars forever. The wounds in Idaho will take generations to heal.
