Idaho college killer Bryan Kohberger faces victim families as he’s sentenced for 4 grisly murders
Quadruple killer Bryan Kohberger is set to face the families of the Idaho college students today as he is sentenced over the grisly murders he carried out nearly three years ago.
On Nov. 13, 2022, Kohberger broke into the home of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, in the small town of Moscow during the middle of the night and stabbed the students to death as most of them slept.
While not all of the families are expected to attend Wednesday’s sentencing in Boise, Idaho, those who do will have the chance to tell Kohberger of the agony his crimes inflicted upon them, speak for the victims and tell what they have endured over the last few years.
Kernodle’s father, Jeffrey, and sister Jazzmin were among the first families to arrive at the court Wednesday morning.
True crime fans, members of the public and the media were camped out all night to ensure they get a glimpse of the killer inside the Ada County Courthouse.
For more than two years, Kohberger maintained his innocence. His long-awaited trial was just weeks away and scheduled for August 18, but in a bombshell twist, he pleaded guilty on July 2.
The sudden plea deal took the death penalty off the table.
The families of Kohberger’s victims have been longing for an answer to one simple question: Why?
His motive remains a mystery— and there is no guarantee he will reveal the answer at Wednesday’s sentencing.
Kohberger will be given the chance to speak in what’s known as an allocution, but he doesn’t have to say anything — and the judge can’t force him to.
Defendants might use their statement to express remorse, ask for mercy or to say whatever else they think the court should hear before sentencing.
But because the U.S. Constitution’s 5th Amendment guarantee of the right to remain silent remains in effect during sentencing hearings, they can choose not to speak at all.
President Donald Trump weighed in Monday, posting on Truth Social: “I hope the Judge makes Kohberger, at a minimum, explain why he did these horrible murders. There are no explanations, there is no NOTHING.”
The murders shook the small town of Moscow in November 2022.
