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Bryan Kohberger, a former criminology graduate student at Washington State University, pleaded guilty on Wednesday (July 2) to the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022. By accepting a plea deal, Kohberger will avoid a trial that could have resulted in the death penalty. He agreed to serve four consecutive life sentences for the murders and an additional 10 years for a burglary charge, waiving his right to appeal. Kohberger, 30, appeared in court in Boise, Idaho, where he repeatedly answered "yes" when asked if he was guilty of the charges.
The victims, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen, were found stabbed to death in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022. The case captured national attention and deeply affected the university community. Some family members of the victims expressed dissatisfaction with the plea deal, while others supported it.
Kohberger was arrested six weeks after the murders at his parents' home in Pennsylvania. Investigators linked him to the crime through evidence, including a Ka-Bar knife purchase and a knife sheath found at the crime scene. Kohberger's trial was moved from Latah County to Ada County to ensure a fair jury selection. His sentencing date is yet to be determined.