Bryan Kohberger to plead guilty to all counts in Idaho college murders case
Kohberger will be sentenced to four consecutive life sentences and waives all right to appeal. A court hearing is scheduled for July 2.
The plea comes just weeks before Kohberger's trial was set to begin. Jury selection was set to start on Aug. 4 and opening arguments were scheduled for Aug 18.
Kohberger was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in connection with the killings of roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin. The four victims were all stabbed to death in the girls' off-campus house in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022.
MORE: Idaho college victims' friends recall moment they responded to home: 'You know something's wrong'
Two roommates inside survived, including one roommate who told authorities in the middle of the night she saw a man in black clothes and a mask walking past her in the house, according to court documents.
The shocking quadruple killings shook the small college town of Moscow and launched a nearly seven-week manhunt.
In December 2022, Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University at the time, was arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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News24
43 minutes ago
- News24
Tears and triumph: Diddy dodges life sentence but awaits fate for lesser convictions
The jury found Sean 'Diddy' Combs not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, saving him from a potential life sentence, but was convicted on two lesser counts. Combs and his team celebrated the verdict as a victory, though the judge denied him bail, requiring him to return to prison while awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors highlighted the lasting trauma of sex crimes and maintained Combs posed a danger. His gaze to the ceiling in exultation and hands miming prayer, Sean Combs appeared overjoyed as the jury foreman declared the music mogul not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking charges, thus taking a life sentence in prison off the table. Combs, 55, was still convicted on two lesser counts related to prostitution and could serve time. But he and his lawyers hailed the day as a win. Defence attorney Teny Geragos's eyes welled with tears before jurors had even finished reading the full verdict, clutching Combs's hand before embracing her co-attorney Marc Agnifilo. Combs, who has been seen in court reading books including The Power of Positive Thinking, contained himself as the judge thanked jurors, but his relief was palpable. He was later captured by a sketch artist, having fallen to his knees, his face buried in the chair he sat in for two months listening to weeks of testimony that cast him as a serial predator and master manipulator with violent impulses. His lawyer and prosecutors then made competing arguments as to whether he should be released on bond pending his sentencing. When Judge Arun Subramanian rhetorically asked whether or not Combs wanted to return to the notorious Brooklyn prison where he has been held since September 2024, he rapidly shook his head. Before retiring to a courthouse holding cell to await the judge's decision, Combs voiced thanks and love to his family members, who have been a regular presence during the proceedings. He also softly pumped his fists in his lap and mouthed his thanks to the jury. 'Disturbing reality' It was a jubilant scene for a defence team that spent weeks picking apart harrowing testimony from women who said Combs abused and forced them into sexual marathons with male escorts. The details were often difficult to hear, as was photo and video evidence of brutal beatings the women said Combs had subjected them to. The defence never denied the violence or the sex—encounters that prosecutors said met legal thresholds for crimes, including sex trafficking, forced labour and drug distribution. Government attorneys argued that Combs led a criminal organisation of loyal employees who helped him carry out those crimes and many others with impunity. But the defence dismissed and even mocked those allegations. AFP And jurors took their side. It was a major blow for federal prosecutors, who appeared sombre as they left the room while the defence celebrations were ongoing. Outside the courthouse, crowds of Combs supporters, along with hordes of influencers and content creators - who have been a constant feature of the proceedings - created a circus of sorts, prompting police to barricade the plaza just outside the building. AFP Many of those celebrated with an air of 'told you so' - and eagerly crowded the courthouse, hoping to catch a glimpse of Combs. Bail debate Ahead of the bail hearing, the US Attorney's Office that brought the charges released a serious statement that stood in stark contrast with the chaos outside. 'Sex crimes deeply scar victims, and the disturbing reality is that sex crimes are all too present in many aspects of our society,' read the statement. 'Victims endure gut-wrenching physical and mental abuse, leading to lasting trauma.' Combs ultimately was denied bail - in relative terms, a minor disappointment on one of the most pivotal days of his life. If slightly deflated, he sat stoically as the teams debated the decision into the evening. Agnifilo called him a 'remarkable prisoner' who had 'lived up to his obligations.' Prosecutor Maurene Comey countered that Combs is an 'extremely violent man with an extraordinarily dangerous temper who has shown no remorse and no regret.' Cassandra 'Cassie' Ventura, through her attorney, also expressed concerns over her safety and the safety of others if Combs is granted bail. In a letter submitted to the court, Ventura's lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, emphasised her apprehension. 'Ms. Ventura believes that Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in this case, including herself, as well as to the community,' Wigdor wrote, as reported by People. Ventura, the prosecution's key witness, took the stand and testified for several days, sharing harrowing details of alleged rape, physical assault, sexual assault, and abuse she claims to have endured during her decade-long relationship with the founder of Bad Boy Records. Combs waved at the judge as if he had something to say but then huddled with his lawyers. He ultimately didn't take the mic. His return to prison awaiting sentencing was not particularly unexpected. Outside, Agnifilo dubbed the day a 'major step in the right direction,' vowing that Combs would one day walk free.


Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Diddy's dream team avoided 'disaster' with one key move, OJ Simpson attorney says
Sean "Diddy" Combs was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges Wednesday following a two-month trial where his legal team argued that the case was about "voluntary adult choices," not a "mean" man running a criminal enterprise. After the verdict was read, people in the courtroom began shouting "dream team" to Diddy's high-profile lawyers, a team headed by Teny Geragos and Marc Agnifilo. Geragos cried as she hugged Diddy's family. The other lawyers include Brian Steel — who recently represented rapper Young Thug — Anna Estevao, Jason Driscoll, Xavier R. Donaldson and Alexandra Shapiro. The "dream team" nickname first made headlines in 1995 for the group of defense lawyers who represented OJ Simpson in his eight-month trial for the alleged murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Robert Shapiro, the first member and initial chair of Simpson's defense team, praised Diddy's legal counsel following the verdict. "The defense team did a terrific job on a case the U.S. Attorney overcharged," Robert Shapiro told Fox News Digital. "An acquittal in Federal Court is highly unusual. Congratulations to Mark and Tenny for building an incredible group of talented lawyers." WATCH: Diddy's legal team won't stop until he walks a 'free man,' rapper's attorney Marc Agnifilo says Johnnie Cochran, Robert Kardashian, Barry Scheck, F. Lee Bailey, Shapiro and Alan Dershowitz comprised the dream team who helped get Simpson acquitted nearly 30 years ago. Professor emeritus Dershowitz admitted Diddy's dream team made the right decision by not letting the Bad Boy Records founder testify in his federal trial for sex crimes. "Ultimately, the smart decision was not putting OJ on the witness stand," he told Fox News Digital. "The smart decision here was not putting Combs on the witness stand. The difference is we want a complete victory. They got a partial victory, but an almost complete victory, so I commend them for excellent work." He added, "I think this was a good day for justice today, and it showed the power of juries to stand up against the federal government. And that's a necessary check on the excesses of prosecutors." Following the verdict, Dershowitz condemned the court's decision to not grant Diddy bail. "Vindictive and wrong," Dershowitz said. "He was convicted of transactional, consensual sex with 2 adults." WATCH: PROFESSOR EMERITUS ALAN DERSHOWITZ DISCUSSES KEY MOVE IN DIDDY TRIAL Geragos, known just as much for her last name as she is for her work in the courtroom, first earned fans last year with social media clips about her rapper client. Teny also gained recognition for her opening remarks during Diddy's federal trial, where she argued that the case was about "voluntary adult choices," which the government was attempting to skew into a narrative to fit a sex trafficking charge. The daughter of criminal defense lawyer Mark Geragos graduated from Loyola Law School Los Angeles in 2016. Her father is known for representing several high-profile clients, including Michael Jackson, Scott Peterson, Jussie Smollett, Colin Kaepernick and, most recently, the Menendez brothers in their successful pursuit of resentencing. She then worked with Brafman & Associates for eight years before becoming a founding partner of Agnifilo Intrater. Geragos serves on the board of directors of the New York Criminal Bar Association and is certified to practice law in New York and California. During opening statements of Diddy's trial, which began on May 5, Teny asked the jury to consider the federal charges, not the choices of an at-times violent man. WATCH: Diddy trial was a 'colossal failure by the prosecution,' attorney Mark Geragos says "Sean Combs is a complicated man, but this is not a complicated case," Teny told the court. "This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity and money. This case is about voluntary adult choices made by capable adults and consensual relationships. This case is about those real-life relationships, and the government is trying to turn those relationships into a racketeering case, a prostitution case and a sex trafficking case. It will not work." She noted that Diddy "has a bad temper" and at times gets "so angry or so jealous that he is out of control," but she emphasized that the "Victory" rapper was not charged with "being mean." "He is not charged with being a jerk. He's charged with running a racketeering enterprise," Teny said. "And though there was violence that you are going to hear about, you already have, that violence is not part of any RICO. That violence is not connected to sex trafficking and that violence is not prostitution." Agnifilo is no stranger to high-profile cases as a criminal defense lawyer based in New York. The former assistant district attorney previously worked for Brafman & Associates for more than 15 years before founding his own firm, Agnifilo Intrater, in 2024. He's familiar with high-profile trials and district attorney investigations after representing a number of prominent clients, including "pharma bro" Martin Shkreli and NXIVM sex cult leader Keith Raniere. The Agnifilo household is familiar with high-profile cases, with Marc's wife Karen Friedman Agnifilo leading the defense for alleged health care CEO assassin Luigi Mangione. The jury found Diddy not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He was found guilty on both counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Following the verdict, his defense pushed back after the judge denied the rapper's request for bail. Agnifilo argued that Diddy has done remarkable things in his life. He is a businessman and a serious person, the attorney noted, adding Diddy has seemingly been a model prisoner in a very difficult situation at MDC Brooklyn. According to Agnifilo, he has no issues on his record. "Diddy is a man who has lived up to his obligations," the lawyer said. "Jury gave him a chance at life today." The government said Diddy is very wealthy, brazen, and dangerous. They noted that any chance of jail time is a reason to flee. They accused Diddy of having a short temper, and noted how the rapper has abused people violently. "It was also brazen for him to have drugs and supplies for prostitution waiting while he was arrested," prosecutors argued. A sentencing hearing is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 3. After the trial concluded, Diddy's team spoke at a press conference, with Agnifilo vowing that they wouldn't stop until he walks a "free man."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Piece of plane found in North Carolina driveway may belong to Delta flight
Police in North Carolina are investigating after a Raleigh resident discovered a part of a plane in their driveway. The FAA told CBS News that the debris was from a Delta aircraft that landed Tuesday night at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.