On Wednesday, Bryan Kohberger was sentenced, and the families of his victims expressed their deep sorrow through poignant remarks directed at him.
Bryan Kohberger, a former criminology student, confessed to the murders of four students found dead at Idaho college in 2022.
On July 23, Kohberger received a life sentence for the killings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, and Madison Mogen.
During his sentencing, family members delivered impact statements, many of which included heartfelt and emotional comments towards Kohberger.
Steve Goncalves, the father of Kaylee Goncalves, provided a succinct yet moving reflection on the conclusion of the trial.
He stated: “Today, you have no name.
“We will forget you. You picked the wrong family, and we’re laughing at you on your trip to pen today.”
He also recounted the moment when police arrived at his house to inform him of his daughter’s death.
He recalled telling them to focus on capturing her murderer, hoping for justice for his daughter.
Kaylee’s sister, Alivea, delivered an impassioned and defiant statement in court, earning applause from those present.
She criticized Kohberger, directing a series of insults towards him.
“Lurking in the shadows made you feel powerful because no one ever paid you any attention in the light.
“You thought you were exceptional all because of a grade on a paper, you thought you were elite because your online IQ test, from 2010, told you that.
“All of that effort to seem important, it is desperate.
“There is a name for your condition though, your inflated ego just didn’t let you see it. Wannabe.”
Kohberger’s guilty plea came as a surprise as he had previously insisted on his innocence regarding the murders.
He chose to plead guilty as part of a deal that removed the death penalty from consideration, affirming to the judge that he was admitting guilt “because [he is] guilty.”
During the proceedings, the judge asked, “Did you on November 13, 2022, enter the residence at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, with the intent to commit the felony crime of murder?” Kohberger replied: “Yes.”