Kohberger sentenced to four consecutive life sentences in Idaho killings

A judge sentenced Bryan Kohberger, the man convicted of killing four University of Idaho students at an off-campus house in 2022, to four consecutive life sentences on Wednesday, July 23. Kohberger pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin earlier in July.

District Court Judge Steven Hippler also sentenced the 30-year-old to 10 additional years in prison for a burglary charge related to the murders. In addition to prison time, the judge ordered Kohberger to pay a $50,000 fine, and $5,000 to the family of each victim.

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty in this case. Kohberger also waived his right to an appeal.

Kohberger stabbed the four students to death at an off-campus house in November 2022. Police arrested him in December 2022 in Pennsylvania.

Families speak at hearing

Before the sentencing, the victims’ families gave emotional impact statements.

“I realized this moment isn’t about you, it’s about justice for Xana, Ethan, Kaylee and Maddie,” Jazzmin Kernodle, Xana’s sister, said. “It’s about honoring the beautiful, beautiful people, they were and still are in God’s eyes.”

“Today, we are here to finish what you started,” Steve Goncalves, Kaylee’s father, said. “We are here to prove to the world that you picked the wrong families, wrong state, the wrong police officers, the wrong community.”

“You tried to break our community apart. You tried to plant fear, you tried to divide us. You failed,” Goncalves continued. “You united everyone. Everyone was united after you.”

Kohberger “respectfully” declined to speak at the sentencing hearing.

This is a developing story.