Prosecutors have reportedly informed the families of the Idaho murder victims through a letter, detailing the reasons behind offering suspect Bryan Kohberger a plea agreement.
On November 13, 2022, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, both 20, were tragically found dead in their residence near the Idaho campus.
Kohberger is facing charges of four counts of first-degree murder along with a burglary charge in connection to these deaths, with a trial scheduled for the coming month.
The suspect is believed to have agreed to a plea deal, which entails serving four consecutive life sentences plus a maximum 10-year sentence for burglary. Previously, Kohberger had entered a not guilty plea to the murder charges.
This agreement would allow Kohberger to avoid the death penalty.
The plea deal was reportedly reached shortly after prosecutors had discussions with the victims’ families regarding the plan.
Following those discussions, the families were emailed a letter from prosecutors, which explained the rationale behind the plea agreement.
According to the Idaho Statesman, the letter stated, “We cannot fathom the toll that this case has taken on your family.”
“This resolution is our sincere attempt to seek justice for your family.”
The letter continued, “This agreement ensures that the defendant will be convicted, will spend the rest of his life in prison, and will not be able to put you and the other families through the uncertainty of decades of post-conviction appeals.”
“Your viewpoints weighed heavily in our decision-making process, and we hope that you may come to appreciate why we believe this resolution is in the best interest of justice.”
However, the decision has reportedly left the victims’ families upset.
The Goncalves family released a statement saying, “They vaguely mentioned a possible plea on Friday, without seeking our input, and presented the plea on Sunday.”
“Latah County should be ashamed of its Prosecutor’s Office. Four wonderful young people lost their lives, yet the victims’ families were treated as opponents from the outset. 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.”
They further expressed, “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.”
“Our family is frustrated right now and that will subside and we will come together as always and deal with the reality that we face moving forward.”