BOISE, Idaho — The man who pleaded guilty to killing four University of Idaho students in their off-campus home was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday, offering some semblance of justice to the victims’ families and the entire Moscow community.
was sentenced to a fixed term of life in prison for each murder, to be served consecutively. More than two-and-a-half years after the murders of Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, those testifying agreed that their names deserved to be spoken, not his. “You will be forgotten, discarded, used and erased,” Kaylee Goncalves’ mother Kristi Goncalves told Kohberger. Kohberger wasn’t publicly identified as the suspect until after he was arrested in late December of 2022. The arrest capped a bumpy month-and-a-half period in which while some criticized the lack of transparency in the case. A non-dissemination order issued shortly after Kohberger was returned to Moscow ensured the case would continue to progress with little transparency, leaving an affidavit filed at the time of his arrest as by far the largest source of public information on why police believed he was guilty. Wednesday’s sentencing capped the painful and at times opaque criminal justice process, and it also set the stage for much of the police work and court filings to be made public. The Moscow Police Department already committed to making their investigation and materials public, and the One thing that was always public was the pain inflicted by the killing of four students on their families and closest friends and the community in which they lived and went to school. On Wednesday, the families made their loss clear to Ada County Judge Steven Hippler. Emily Alandt, the friend that called 911 on the morning of the murders, read a statement on behalf of Bethany Funke. Alandt tearfully read the statement in which Funke described the fear she felt on the day of the murders, the frustration of the media frenzy that followed and, in keeping with the spirit of remembering the victims rather than the convicted murderer, she told stories of her time with her four close friends. “I am beyond blessed that I had the chance to know each and every one of them,” Funke’s statement read. “They changed my life in ways I could never put into words. I hope that they are remembered for who they are and not what happened to them, because who they are is so beautiful, and they deserve to be remembered in the highest way.” Dylan Mortenson, the victims’ other roommate, also spoke through tears. After taking a few moments to compose herself, she told Hippler everything Kohberger took from her. “Because of him, four beautiful, genuine, compassionate people were taken from this world for no reason,” Mortenson said. “He didn’t just take their lives, he took the light they brought into every room. They took away how they made everyone feel safe, loved and full of joy. He took away my ability to tell them that I love them.” Court documents made public learned that something horrible had happened. “He stole parts of me I may never get back,” Mortenson said. “He may have shattered parts of me, but I’m still putting myself back together… it isn’t easy, but I’m still trying… I’m trying for them.” After the roommates, the families spoke. Scott Laramie, Mogen’s stepfather, remembered the wonderful girl she was and the loving daughter she continued to be up until she was killed. “She showered us with her presence and love at family events, barbeques, picnics, holidays and others,” Laramie said. “This world was a better place with her in it.” While Mogen’s life was cut short, Laramie described how full it was, and how it touched him and Mogen’s mother Karen Laramie. “All parents dream of their children accomplishing more than them,” Laramie said. “We realized this dream. All we had not become, she had become. Karen and I are ordinary people, but we lived extraordinary lives because we had Maddie.” Mogen’s family spoke in support of the plea agreement reached between the defense and the Latah County Prosecutor’s office, led by Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson. That agreement had been harshly criticized by the family of Kaylee Goncalves. In one of many emotional moments in the hearing, Madison Mogen’s father Ben Mogen tearfully read the last letter he received from his daughter. “I loved the birthday card you sent me… maybe we can see a concert sometime soon” the leader read. “I hope you’re doing well. I’m proud of how far you’ve come. Thank you for always encouraging me to do my best. Love you lots and lots, love Maddie May.” Mogen said his daughter “kept him alive” as he dealt with addiction issues and how he’s struggling to grapple his only Kaylee’s father Steve Goncalves addressed his statement directly to Kohberger. “Today, we are here to finish what you started,” Goncalves told Kohberger. “Today, you’ve lost control.” Goncalves argued Kohberger’s aim was to divide the Moscow community, but instead “None of us are divided,” Goncalves said. “We are united in our disgust, and our love for these children. Today you have no name.” Goncalves thanked those involved in bringing Kohberger to justice and didn’t directly address the plea agreement. Kristi Goncalves also addressed Kohberger directly. “You’ve taken from me something that can never be restored,” Goncalves said. The grief sits with me every day. Some days quietly, some days it drowns out everything else…I’m forever changed.” She also challenged Kohberger, calling him “pathetic” and “a joke in this court room.” “I wish I could crown you with a jester hat to complete your orange jump suit,” Kristi said. “Clown look.” Kristi did address the fact the death penalty was taken off the table as part of the plea agreement with an innuendo-laced invective promising the rest of his life would be “miserable.” “A dead killer doesn’t kill again,” Kristi said. “So while I’m disappointed that the firing squad won’t get to take their shots at you, I’m confident the men in prison will have their way with you in more ways than one. You’ll finally get what you wanted, physical touch, but probably not in the way you wanted.” After a brief recess, Kernodle’s family spoke. “I will carry her with me for the rest of my life,” Kernodle’s sister Jazzmin Kernodle said. “Xana’s story doesn’t end with what was taken from her. It lives through the love she gave, the people she touched and the legacy her family will protect.” Jeff Kernodle, Xana’s father, said he almost came over to visit the house that night after Xana told him she didn’t feel well. “She wasn’t feeling that good, it was 11:30, I almost went over to Xana’s to stay,” Kernodle said. “I would have been sitting right there on that couch, and you would have been dealing with me,” Kernodle told Kohberger. “They would have had a chance.” Xana Kernodle’s aunt Kim Kernodle said the pain put a strain on her family at first, but ultimately unified them. “This horrible tragedy… has brought us closer,” Kernodle said. “You united us with your actions. We have friends and family now that we never knew we had.” Kohberger’s expression didn’t seem to change even as Kernodle fought back tears and said she forgave him. “This is probably going to bother everybody, but Bryan, I’m here today to tell you I have forgiven you, because I no longer could live with that hate in my heart,” Kernodle told Kohberger. “For me to become a better person, I have forgiven you.” She said she would always be there if Kohberger wanted to speak to her. “No judgement,” Kernodle said. “Because I do have questions that I want you to answer. I’m here, I’ll be the one that will listen to you.” Cara Northington, Xana Kernodle’s mother, gave the last victim impact statement, praying that Kohberger would turn to religion and ask Jesus for forgiveness. “I am washing my hands of you and turning you over to my lord and savior Jesus Christ, whom vengeance belongs to,” Kernodle said. Chapin’s parents publicly supported the plea agreement from the moment it was announced. Ahead of the sentencing hearing, they said they wouldn’t attend. In an interview with NBC News after Kohberger pleaded guilty, they shared how they talk to him every morning. “Yeah, yeah, I miss you, dude,” Ethan’s dad Jim Chapin said. “But that’s how I start my day. Every day.” “I have him where I need him, in my mind and my heart and my soul” Ethan’s mom Stacy Chapin said.” Following victim impact statements, Judge Hippler turned the floor to the prosecution to make arguments. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson recounted what led to the plea agreement, saying there hadn’t been backroom talks until shortly before the agreement became public. “Our reaction… was to reach out to all of the families,” Thompson said. “We met by teams with all of the families. We talked about the status of the case, and we also let them know there had been an inquiry for whether they might be an offer for a plea.” He said the families were “candid” in their responses. “We understand, recognize and acknowledge that there was a difference of opinion among representatives of the different families,” Thompson said. Thompson said that was a result of the number of victims in this case. He defended the plea agreement as necessary in light of growing public information in the case, despite a gag order, that would undermine the ability of the court to field a jury. “It is time for the judicial system to impose final judgement and close the door on this chapter of these tragedies,” Thompson said. Thompson showed pictures of each victim as he asked the judge to issue the his penalties, the maximum for burglary and fixed life in prison for the murders of Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. The longtime top lawyer for Latah County audibly fought back tears as he made his requests to the judge. “The state further prays that these sentences be ordered to run consecutively, back-to-back, not at the same time, to recognize and respect the unique individuality of each of these young people, whose lives were taken brutally and for no reason,” Thompson said. “In other words, sentenced the defendant to die in prison.” The defense declined to present evidence and Kohberger declined to make a statement. Before laying down his sentence, Hippler read a statement in which he called Kohberger a “coward.” “This unfathomable and senseless act of evil has caused immeasurable pain and loss,” Hippler said. “No parent should ever have to bury their child. This is the greatest tragedy that can be inflicted upon a person.” Hippler described his “awe” at the courage of the surviving roommates and the family members. He also slammed those who came up with conspiracy theories about the victims and their roommates. The judge noted that he couldn’t legally make Kohberger speak, and that he didn’t think anything productive would come of that if he could.”I suspect the so-called reason would be dished out in enticing, self-aggrandizing, untruthful bits, leaving people wanting more information.””No conceivable reason could make any sense,” Hippler said. “And in the end, the more we struggle to seek explanation for the unexplainable, the more we try to extract a reason, the more power and control we give to him. In my view, the time has now come to end Mr. Kohberger’s 15 minutes of fame.”Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador confirmed after the sentencing that Kohberger would be housed at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna.
