Bryan Kohberger to be Sentenced for Idaho Murders

July 23, 2025: Bryan Kohberger, the former criminology PhD student who admitted to the brutal stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, is scheduled for sentencing today in Boise. Nearly three years after the horrific November 2022 slayings of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, their grieving families will finally have the chance to confront the 30-year-old killer.

The shocking violence rocked the college town of Moscow and garnered national attention due to its sheer brutality and the initial lack of a clear motive. Kohberger maintained his innocence for over two years until a dramatic turn on July 2, 2025, when he pleaded guilty to all four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. This plea deal took the death penalty off the table, ensuring Kohberger will receive a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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The sentencing hearing, which begins at 9 a.m. MT inside the Ada County Courthouse, is expected to be packed. Victims’ families and friends, along with media and true crime enthusiasts, are anticipated to fill the courtroom. This marks the first opportunity for many of the victims’ families to come face-to-face with Kohberger and address him directly. While Ethan Chapin’s family does not plan to attend, the families of the three female victims are expected to be present. The hearing could extend into Thursday due to the number of victim impact statements. Moscow Police Chief Anthony Dahlinger hopes the sentencing will bring healing and closure not only to the families but also to the town of Moscow.

Will Kohberger Speak?
After the victims’ families and friends deliver their statements, Kohberger will be given the opportunity to speak in an “allocution.” This is a defendant’s right to address the court before sentencing. However, he is not compelled to speak, as his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent remains in effect. In past court appearances, Kohberger has been stoic and emotionless. At his plea hearing, he confirmed the facts of the crime with simple “yes” answers but offered no further explanation or remorse. The plea agreement does not require him to share a motive, apologize, or offer details about the crime. If he chooses to speak, his statements will not be under oath and he cannot be cross-examined. He is also not prevented by the plea agreement from speaking to the media or publishing a book in the future.

The Mystery of the Motive
Despite Kohberger’s guilty plea, the chilling question of “why?” still lingers. At the time of the killings, Kohberger was a criminal justice graduate student at Washington State University. Prosecutors suggest he used his knowledge of forensic investigations to try and cover his tracks, including deep cleaning his vehicle after the crime. He was arrested nearly seven weeks after the killings, with investigators linking him through DNA left at the scene, surveillance video of a car matching his, and cellphone data. Police also state that his Amazon purchase history showed he bought a military-style knife and the knife sheath found at the home, though the knife itself was never recovered. The sentencing is unlikely to provide a definitive motive.

A trove of evidence, including investigative documents and witness statements, remains under court protection. Last week, Judge Hippler lifted the gag order but declined to unseal these files before sentencing, stating the court would begin reviewing them afterward—a process that could take months.

Families Divided by Plea
News of the plea deal drew mixed reactions among the victims’ families. Steve Goncalves, Kaylee’s father, criticized prosecutors for not consulting the families, expressing his hope for answers about what happened. However, others, like Karen and Scott Laramie, Madison Mogen’s parents, supported the plea, viewing it as a way to avoid the additional trauma of a lengthy trial. Stacy Chapin, Ethan’s mother, also agreed with the decision, believing it allowed her family to begin the healing process and avoid years of appeals that a death sentence would have triggered. Under the plea, Kohberger has forfeited his right to appeal and will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

What Happens After Sentencing?
As part of his plea agreement, Kohberger accepted the maximum sentence for each count of murder and burglary. Judge Hippler is not required to follow the deal but cannot exceed it. Once the sentencing hearing concludes, Kohberger will be transferred to the custody of the Idaho Department of Correction, where he will undergo an evaluation before being assigned to a state prison.