Inside the courtroom during ‘Diddy' trial partial verdict drama
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Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bryan Kohberger due in court today to plead guilty in Idaho college killings
Bryan Kohberger is expected to plead guilty on Wednesday to all counts in the killings of four University of Idaho students, despite the former criminology student's initial eagerness to be exonerated in the high-profile case. Kohberger -- who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in connection with the 2022 killings of roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin -- will be spared the death penalty as a part of the plea, according to a letter sent to victims' relatives. He'll be sentenced to four consecutive life sentences on the murder counts and the maximum penalty of 10 years on the burglary count, according to the agreement. Kohberger will also waive all right to appeal, the agreement said. The plea comes just weeks before Kohberger's trial was to get underway. Jury selection was set to start on Aug. 4 and opening arguments were scheduled for Aug 18. Prosecutors -- who met with victims' families last week -- called the plea a "sincere attempt to seek justice" for the families. MORE: Idaho victim's dad slams Kohberger plea deal: 'I can't pretend like I feel like this is justice' But the dad of 21-year-old victim Kaylee Goncalves is blasting the move, accusing the prosecutors of mishandling and rushing the plea deal. "At the least, justice starts with an interview of the families to ask them what justice is. And we didn't get that," Steve Goncalves told ABC News. The Goncalves family told ABC News they contacted prosecutors on Tuesday asking for the terms of Kohberger's deal be amended to include additional requirements: they asked for a full confession and for the location of the alleged murder weapon -- described by authorities as a KA-BAR-style hunting knife -- which has never been found. The family said prosecutors turned down the request, explaining that an offer already accepted by the defendant could not ethically be changed. The family said the prosecutors indicated they're asking the court to allow the prosecution to include a factual summary of the evidence against Kohberger at Wednesday's hearing, and that more information about Kohberger's actions would be presented at his sentencing hearing. MORE: Idaho college victims' friends recall moment they responded to home: 'You know something's wrong' The family of 20-year-old victim Ethan Chapin said in a brief statement that they'll be in Boise on Wednesday "in support of the plea bargain." Idaho law requires the state to afford violent crime victims or their families an opportunity to communicate with prosecutors and to be advised of any proposed plea offer before entering into an agreement, but the ultimate decision lies solely with the prosecution. Prosecutors anticipate sentencing to take place in late July, as long as Kohberger enters the guilty plea as expected on Wednesday, according to a letter prosecutors sent to victims' families. In the event Kohberger fails to enter the pleas, prosecutors indicated they are ready to proceed to trial in August, the letter said. MORE: Idaho college victim's siblings remember arriving at crime scene: 'Not on this earth anymore' Attorneys for the Kohberger family said in a statement on Tuesday, "The Kohbergers are asking members of the media for privacy, respect, and responsible judgment during this time. We will continue to allow the legal process to unfold with respect to all parties." Prosecutors allege Kohberger fatally stabbed Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin in the students' off-campus house in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022. Two roommates in the house survived, including one roommate who told authorities in the middle of the night she saw a man walking past her in the house, according to court documents. The roommate described the intruder as "not very muscular, but athletically built with bushy eyebrows," according to the documents. Kohberger, who was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology at nearby Washington State University at the time of the crime, was arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania in December 2022. Defense lawyers have said Kohberger was driving around alone on the night of the murders. ABC News chief legal analyst Dan Abrams said Kohberger may have agreed to the plea because the defense has lost numerous arguments to the judge. MORE: Bryan Kohberger to plead guilty to all counts in Idaho college murders case "The defense had tried to get the death penalty taken off the table again and again, and they kept losing. Most recently, they tried to point the finger at other possible suspects," but the judge rejected that argument, citing a lack of evidence, Abrams told "Good Morning America" on Tuesday. With the prosecution's DNA evidence, video evidence and cellphone records, the defense was faced with "a pretty bad case in the end," Abrams said. A key piece of evidence against Kohberger is his DNA, which was found on a knife sheath left by one of the victim's bodies, prosecutors said. Kohberger's defense attorneys sought to exclude DNA evidence, but the judge denied their request. "You put it all together and it was tough to figure out exactly where the defense was gonna go with this," Abrams said.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fireworks warehouse explodes in California
Fire crews responded to a large explosion at a fireworks warehouse in California on July 1st. Several explosions could be seen from the building, which sparked additional spot fires. The sheriff's office said a one-mile evacuation order was put in place around the area where the fire was burning.
Newsweek
35 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Jury Deadlocked on Racketeering in Diddy Trial, Deliberations Continue: Watch Live
Jury deliberations in the high-profile federal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs entered their third day Wednesday after jurors reached a partial verdict on four of five criminal counts. The panel told U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian they remain deadlocked on the most serious charge—racketeering conspiracy—citing "unpersuadable opinions" among jurors. Combs, who has denied all allegations, faces life in prison if convicted on that count. The trial, which has drawn national attention, centers on allegations of sex trafficking, coercion, and abuse spanning two decades. The jury's inability to reach a unanimous decision on the racketeering charge raises the possibility of a mistrial on that count, though deliberations continue. What to Know: Combs faces five federal charges: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The jury has reached consensus on four charges but remains split on the racketeering count, which requires proof of at least two predicate crimes under the RICO Act. Witnesses included singer Cassie Ventura and rapper Kid Cudi. Jurors requested transcripts of Ventura's testimony describing alleged assaults and threats by Combs. Jurors sent multiple notes to the judge, including questions about drug distribution and specific incidents involving Combs. No Allen charge has been issued yet. A conviction on the racketeering charge could result in a life sentence. The other charges carry significant prison terms, including a 15-year minimum for sex trafficking. Stay with Newsweek for the latest updates.
