Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of murdering Kaylee Goncalves and three others on November 13, 2022, is at the center of a controversial plea deal that has sparked anger from the victim’s grieving parents.
Kristi and Steve Goncalves, Kaylee’s parents, have openly expressed their frustration over the fact that Kohberger will not stand trial and will not face the death penalty after he struck a deal with prosecutors earlier this week.
New Details on the Murder
In a Facebook post on July 3, Kristi Goncalves responded to critics who accused her and her husband of seeking vengeance rather than justice. Kristi shared heartbreaking details of how her daughter was stabbed multiple times and beaten in the head and face as she fought for her life.
She asked, “What would you want” if your 21-year-old daughter was brutally murdered while sleeping in her bed?
This is the first time it has been publicly mentioned that Kohberger beat his victims, further revealing the violent nature of the murders.
The Murders and Kohberger’s Actions
Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson provided new details in court, explaining that Kohberger entered the home through a second-floor door, then went up to the third floor where he murdered Kaylee Goncalves and her best friend, Madison Mogen, 21.
The two other victims, Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, both 20, were also killed after crossing Kohberger’s path as he was leaving.
One roommate survived the attack, telling authorities that she was just feet away from the murderer as he exited the house.
Plea Deal and Lack of Motive
The plea deal means that Kohberger’s motive for the killings will likely never be revealed. Prosecutors admitted that after nearly three years of investigation, they still had no evidence that Kohberger had ever interacted with the victims before the murders. Thompson confirmed they could place Kohberger in the area but had no proof he knew or met the victims.
Kohberger’s Sentence and Family’s Frustration
Under the plea deal, Kohberger will serve four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 10 years for a burglary charge. He will waive his right to appeal.
Kristi Goncalves criticized the plea deal in her Facebook post, stating that Kohberger was “too afraid to die”, but not afraid to kill. She wrote, “BK did not show Kaylee ANY mercy,” referring to the fact that Kohberger will not face the death penalty, unlike what the Goncalves family had hoped for.
Sentencing Hearing Scheduled
The sentencing hearing is set for July 23 in Boise, Idaho, where Judge Steven Hippler will decide whether to accept the plea deal.