Bryan Kohberger admits he killed four University of Idaho students

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Bryan Kohberger has admitted in court that he killed four University of Idaho students.

Judge Stephen Hippler accepted the plea deal at a hearing that wrapped up around noon on Wednesday in a Boise courtroom. Kohberger pleaded guilty to four first-degree murder charges for the deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen. The murders happened at a home near the University of Idaho campus in November 2022.

During the hearing, prosecutors laid out some of their evidence, including pings showing Kohberger's cell phone in the area of the King Road home where the murders happened. The judge read the plea offer and confirmed that Kohberger accepts and understands the consequences. After that, Judge Hippler walked through each of the four murder charges, as well as a burglary charge. Kohberger pleaded guilty to each of the charges.

The judge started the hearing by admonishing those who had contacted the court to share their opinions on the plea deal. The judge said some of those comments had been forwarded to law enforcement.

As part of the plea deal, Kohberger will avoid the death penalty and will receive four life sentences in prison. He will also receive an additional ten-year prison sentence on the burglary charge. He will also waive his right to an appeal.

The family of Kaylee Goncalves is blasting the plea deal, accusing the prosecutors of mishandling and rushing the deal.

The Gonclaves family released the following statement on Wednesday after the hearing was finished:

Today was the day, the day for answers, the day to find out what happened, to find out really anything about what the Defendant did that night and why he took the lives of 4 beautiful people. At least that's what we hoped for but hope is really all we had today. The plea started off with a Judge who was angry about people reaching out to him and then went further to stand on his soapbox stating nothing affects his decisions in this case or any other case and he has not and will not read any comments. Maybe that wasn't the best way to start a plea involving the murder of 4 Idaho college students. Our hope is that the Judge might reflect back on his decisions today and take the high road next time and not make the plea of a murderer about him and his decisions.

Maybe he will show some empathy to the victims families who have been in this torture chamber for over 2 years while he only became involved a few months ago. Then the plea began with the Defendant claiming responsibility for his actions with one word responses. All were sufficient for the Court and the Prosecution team. Because that is what this plea was about today the Court and the Prosecution. A plea that makes everything go away for them and lets them get back to their normal routine. This plea did not represent the victims families it represented an easy way out and no answers. Everyone loves the justice system until you get involved in it.Then you really see that most of the time the cases and resolutions have nothing to do with the victims. At least that was our experience. We will move on to sentencing and will be hopeful that the Court will allow for some much needed grace moving forward and finally the family won't have to deal with the bumbling Latah County prosecution team. Once again we want to thank everyone for their continued support and prayers and appreciate everyone that has gone on this journey with us!