BOISE, Idaho – Families of the victims of the University of Idaho murders have released independent statements expressing their feelings about the plea bargain.
The Chapin family has expressed support for a plea bargain as Bryan Kohberger is expected to accept the deal in connection with the murder of four University of Idaho students.
The Chapin family confirmed they will attend the hearing in Boise on July 2.
This development follows
Stacy Chapin, the mother of Ethan Chapin, reached out to NonStop Local, saying, “The Chapins will be in Boise, ID tomorrow, 7/2, in support of the plea bargain. We will not be participating in media interviews.”
In contrast, the Goncalves family expressed dissatisfaction with the plea process.
“We weren’t even called about the plea; we received an email with a letter attached. That’s how Latah County’s Prosecutor’s Office treats murder victims’ families. Adding insult to injury, they’re rushing the plea, giving families just one day to coordinate and appear at the courthouse for a plea on July 2,” the family said in a post.
“Who do they think they are? After more than two years, this is how it concludes with a secretive deal and a hurried effort to close the case without any input from the victims’ families on the plea’s details.”
In a statement released later, they reiterated clear terms for what they wanted to see.
“First: Truth—spill it, BK Every sickening detail only the killer could know, the kind that twists your guts just to hear but turns even a simpleton proberger against you.
Second: You bear the guilt, all of it alone. You don’t get to smear the survivors, the ones still waking to nightmares born of your reckless choices.
Third: No cashing in on our grief no books, no private interviews with your ex-professor. No one is allowed to study you, because you’re not special. You don’t get to spit on our kids’ graves by making this all about you,” they wrote.
“Only Hippler can step into this void, mend the wreckage Thompson left in Latah so-called justice system,” they wrote at the end of their statement, referring to Ada county Judge Steven Hippler and Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson.
NonStop Local will be covering all the details of the hearing in Boise as new information becomes available.
