During his arraignment on Monday, the man who stands accused of murdering four University of Idaho students opted to remain silent, eliciting no response when the judge inquired about his plea regarding the charges brought against him. These charges include four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. Consequently, the judge proceeded to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf. The indictment of Bryan Kohberger, 28, was issued by a grand jury just last week.
Bryan Kohberger accused of murdering four Idaho college students
The prosecution asserts that Bryan Kohberger unlawfully entered an off-campus residence and proceeded to fatally stab four individuals: Ethan Chapin, a 20-year-old from Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, a 21-year-old from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, a 20-year-old from Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, a 21-year-old from Rathdrum, Idaho. Anticipating the arraignment, the Goncalves family had planned to attend the court proceedings in Moscow, Idaho.
In a previous interview with “48 Hours,” Kristi Goncalves, the mother of Kaylee Goncalves, expressed her belief that Kohberger is fully aware of the harm he inflicted upon their daughter. She stated, “He knows, you know, what he did to our daughter,” adding that during the arraignment, the family intends to focus their gaze upon Kohberger as an expression of their unwavering presence and disdain. She further remarked, “He’s going to feel all of us just staring at the back of his head because he won’t even turn around.”
Considering the gravity of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the case, it is highly unlikely that Kohberger will receive a plea deal. As a result, it could take up to six months, or possibly longer, before the trial commences. Currently, Kohberger awaits the decision of the prosecuting attorneys regarding whether they will seek the death penalty in this high-profile case. Kristi Goncalves expressed her desire to see Kohberger ultimately meet the same fate as an animal, as she hopes for his execution.
Bryan facing the possibility of the death penalty
The alleged crimes were said to have taken place in the early hours of November 13, 2022, as Kohberger purportedly broke into the victims’ off-campus residence. Utilizing a large military-style knife, he allegedly inflicted multiple stab wounds upon Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle, and Chapin. Authorities believe that the victims were likely asleep during the vicious attack.
Following an extensive investigation, law enforcement apprehended Kohberger nearly seven weeks after the murders at his family’s residence in eastern Pennsylvania. Prosecutors presented various pieces of evidence, including DNA traces matching Kohberger that were discovered on a knife sheath at the crime scene. Additionally, surveillance footage captured a vehicle resembling the one owned by the accused repeatedly passing by the students’ house on the night of the killings.
Kohberger, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University and residing in Pullman, Washington, at the time of the murders, has faced intense scrutiny. Although the police confiscated several items from his apartment, potentially serving as evidence, no murder weapon has been recovered. The absence of a clear motive and the lack of a weapon may present challenges for the prosecution’s case, as highlighted by Jessica Levinson, a legal contributor for CBS News.
In light of the tragic events, the University of Idaho recently posthumously awarded degrees to Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves as a tribute to their academic accomplishments.
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