Kohberger pleads guilty to Idaho student murders, avoids death penalty

BOISE, Idaho — Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty Wednesday to murdering four University of Idaho students, admitting to all five counts in the indictment as part of a plea deal that removes the possibility of the death penalty.

Kohberger, who was set to go to trial this month, instead entered guilty pleas to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in a Boise courtroom.

The courtroom remained quiet and orderly throughout the hearing as Judge Steven Hippler warned those in attendance not to attempt to influence the court’s decision.

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“There have been calls for the public to contact me or my staff. That has been extraordinarily disruptive,” Hippler said, adding that he had not read any of the messages or listened to any voicemails.

The agreement includes four fixed life sentences, one for each murder charge, and 10 years for burglary.

All sentences will run consecutively.

Kohberger waived his right to appeal and acknowledged that he understood the consequences of the plea.

The judge scheduled sentencing for July 23 at 9 a.m.

No visible emotion in court

Kohberger, who maintained eye contact with the judge throughout the hearing, appeared emotionless.

His responses were short and direct—mostly “yes” or “no”—with no change in tone or demeanor, even as he admitted to the killings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

Judge Hippler said the court was not bound to the sentencing recommendations in the plea deal but noted that they represent the maximum penalties allowed under Idaho law.

Kohberger confirmed he understood the charges and the rights he was giving up, including his right to appeal and to ask for a lighter sentence.

When asked whether anyone had threatened or promised him anything in exchange for the plea, Kohberger said no.

He also said he had not taken drugs or alcohol before the hearing and that he was thinking clearly.

Evidence summary presented

Prosecutors presented a summary of the evidence they would have introduced at trial.

That included surveillance footage, phone records, and DNA evidence linking Kohberger to the crime scene.

According to the state, Kohberger purchased a KA-BAR knife and sheath in March 2022.

By July, he had moved from Pennsylvania to Pullman, Washington, to begin a PhD program in criminal justice at Washington State University.

Between July and November, Kohberger’s cellphone connected to a tower near the victims’ residence 23 times during nighttime hours.

On the morning of Nov. 13, 2022, prosecutors say Kohberger turned off his phone and drove into Moscow, Idaho, where his vehicle was recorded circling the neighborhood around 3:30 a.m.

Surveillance showed him parking behind the victims’ house and entering through a sliding glass door.

Inside, Kohberger killed Mogen and Goncalves on the third floor and left a knife sheath on Mogen’s bed.

The Idaho State Police later matched DNA from the sheath to Kohberger.

Prosecutors said Kernodle was awake during the attack and two surviving roommates saw a masked man dressed in black leaving through the kitchen.

Fifteen minutes later, Kohberger’s vehicle was seen speeding away.

His phone was turned back on around 4:48 a.m. and pinged south of Moscow before returning to Pullman.

Surveillance footage later captured him in Pullman and at businesses in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.

In the days after the murders, Kohberger searched online for replacement knife sheaths and tried to delete his purchase history.

He also changed his car registration from Pennsylvania to Washington, a detail prosecutors say was intended to avoid identification, since Pennsylvania doesn’t require front license plates.

When police searched his apartment weeks later, they found it thoroughly cleaned.

His vehicle had been disassembled, and a bucket of cleaning supplies sat nearby.

Authorities described his efforts to cover up the crime as calculated, noting that Kohberger had previously written a paper on crime scene processing.

Victims’ families divided on plea

The families of Madison Mogen and Ethan Chapin supported the plea deal.

“We embark on a path of hope and healing,” said Leander James, an attorney for the Mogen family.

But others opposed it. Steve Goncalves, father of Kaylee Goncalves, said he had urged the court to reject the agreement.

“This isn’t what we should be doing. You don’t deal with terrorists and you don’t deal with people who kill your kids in their sleep,” Goncalves said after the hearing.

A letter from prosecutors to the families explained that the plea was intended to ensure a conviction and avoid the uncertainty and trauma of a lengthy trial and appeals process.

Kohberger will remain in custody until sentencing, where families will have the opportunity to deliver victim impact statements.

Judge Hippler confirmed the gag order on the case will be lifted.

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