Latest news with #criminology
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Family of Univ. of Idaho murder victim dismisses Bryan Kohberger as a ‘joke' and ‘loser' in searing impact statements
The family of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four University of Idaho students killed by Bryan Kohberger in 2022, called him a 'joke,' 'loser,' and 'as dumb as they come' in a day of searing victim impact statements. 'If you hadn't attacked them in their sleep, in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your f**king a**,' her sister Alivea Goncalves said to him, earning a round of applause from some of those gathered in the Boise, Idaho, courtroom. The victim impact statements Wednesday came during a hearing that represents the final opportunity for the victims' families to speak in court and reflect on their loved ones, Kohberger and the case's controversial plea deal. Kohberger, too, will have an opportunity to speak to the court and answer the question that remains frustratingly unclear: Why? Earlier this month, the former criminology graduate student admitted to fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students – Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen – in their off-campus home during the overnight hours of November 13, 2022. He pleaded guilty to burglary and four counts of first-degree murder, and in exchange, prosecutors agreed to a sentence of life in prison, taking the death penalty off the table. Speaking directly to Kohberger, Alivea Goncalves said her sister would 'call you exactly what you are: sociopath, psychopath, murderer.' She called Kohberger 'defendant' and asked a series of questions she said 'reverberate violently' in her own head. 'Sit up straight when I talk to you,' she said. 'How was your life right before you murdered my sister? Did you prepare for the crime before leaving your apartment? Please detail what you were thinking and feeling at the time.' 'If you were really smart, do you think you'd be here right now?' She dismissed him as a sociopath, a psychopath and a delusional and pathetic loser. He is 'as dumb as they come,' she said, adding that 'no one thinks that you are important.' 'The truth is, you're basic,' she said. 'Let me be very clear: Don't ever try to convince yourself you matter just because someone finally said your name out loud. I see through you,' she said. Steve Goncalves, the victim's father, turned the lectern to directly face Kohberger in his impact statement. 'The world's watching because of the kids, not because of you. Nobody cares about you. … In time, you will be nothing but two initials, forgotten to the wind,' he said. He called Kohberger a 'joke' and described how easy it was to track him down. 'Police officers tell us within minutes they had your DNA. Like a calling card. You were that careless. That foolish. That stupid. Masters degree? You're a joke. Complete joke,' he said.
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
Family of Univ. of Idaho murder victim dismisses Bryan Kohberger as a ‘joke' and ‘loser' in searing impact statements
The family of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four University of Idaho students killed by Bryan Kohberger in 2022, called him a 'joke,' 'loser,' and 'as dumb as they come' in a day of searing victim impact statements. 'If you hadn't attacked them in their sleep, in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your f**king a**,' her sister Alivea Goncalves said to him, earning a round of applause from some of those gathered in the Boise, Idaho, courtroom. The victim impact statements Wednesday came during a hearing that represents the final opportunity for the victims' families to speak in court and reflect on their loved ones, Kohberger and the case's controversial plea deal. Kohberger, too, will have an opportunity to speak to the court and answer the question that remains frustratingly unclear: Why? Earlier this month, the former criminology graduate student admitted to fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students – Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen – in their off-campus home during the overnight hours of November 13, 2022. He pleaded guilty to burglary and four counts of first-degree murder, and in exchange, prosecutors agreed to a sentence of life in prison, taking the death penalty off the table. Speaking directly to Kohberger, Alivea Goncalves said her sister would 'call you exactly what you are: sociopath, psychopath, murderer.' She called Kohberger 'defendant' and asked a series of questions she said 'reverberate violently' in her own head. 'Sit up straight when I talk to you,' she said. 'How was your life right before you murdered my sister? Did you prepare for the crime before leaving your apartment? Please detail what you were thinking and feeling at the time.' 'If you were really smart, do you think you'd be here right now?' She dismissed him as a sociopath, a psychopath and a delusional and pathetic loser. He is 'as dumb as they come,' she said, adding that 'no one thinks that you are important.' 'The truth is, you're basic,' she said. 'Let me be very clear: Don't ever try to convince yourself you matter just because someone finally said your name out loud. I see through you,' she said. Steve Goncalves, the victim's father, turned the lectern to directly face Kohberger in his impact statement. 'The world's watching because of the kids, not because of you. Nobody cares about you. … In time, you will be nothing but two initials, forgotten to the wind,' he said. He called Kohberger a 'joke' and described how easy it was to track him down. 'Police officers tell us within minutes they had your DNA. Like a calling card. You were that careless. That foolish. That stupid. Masters degree? You're a joke. Complete joke,' he said.
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
Family of Univ. of Idaho murder victim dismisses Bryan Kohberger as a ‘joke' and ‘loser' in searing impact statements
The family of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four University of Idaho students killed by Bryan Kohberger in 2022, called him a 'joke,' 'loser,' and 'as dumb as they come' in a day of searing victim impact statements. 'If you hadn't attacked them in their sleep, in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your f**king a**,' her sister Alivea Goncalves said to him, earning a round of applause from some of those gathered in the Boise, Idaho, courtroom. The victim impact statements Wednesday came during a hearing that represents the final opportunity for the victims' families to speak in court and reflect on their loved ones, Kohberger and the case's controversial plea deal. Kohberger, too, will have an opportunity to speak to the court and answer the question that remains frustratingly unclear: Why? Earlier this month, the former criminology graduate student admitted to fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students – Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen – in their off-campus home during the overnight hours of November 13, 2022. He pleaded guilty to burglary and four counts of first-degree murder, and in exchange, prosecutors agreed to a sentence of life in prison, taking the death penalty off the table. Speaking directly to Kohberger, Alivea Goncalves said her sister would 'call you exactly what you are: sociopath, psychopath, murderer.' She called Kohberger 'defendant' and asked a series of questions she said 'reverberate violently' in her own head. 'Sit up straight when I talk to you,' she said. 'How was your life right before you murdered my sister? Did you prepare for the crime before leaving your apartment? Please detail what you were thinking and feeling at the time.' 'If you were really smart, do you think you'd be here right now?' She dismissed him as a sociopath, a psychopath and a delusional and pathetic loser. He is 'as dumb as they come,' she said, adding that 'no one thinks that you are important.' 'The truth is, you're basic,' she said. 'Let me be very clear: Don't ever try to convince yourself you matter just because someone finally said your name out loud. I see through you,' she said. Steve Goncalves, the victim's father, turned the lectern to directly face Kohberger in his impact statement. 'The world's watching because of the kids, not because of you. Nobody cares about you. … In time, you will be nothing but two initials, forgotten to the wind,' he said. He called Kohberger a 'joke' and described how easy it was to track him down. 'Police officers tell us within minutes they had your DNA. Like a calling card. You were that careless. That foolish. That stupid. Masters degree? You're a joke. Complete joke,' he said.
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Bryan Kohberger sentencing: What to expect as Idaho murderer learns his fate
will be sentenced today for the murders of four University of Idaho students in a case that sent shockwaves across the nation. The 30-year-old killer - who spent years studying criminology - will appear in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, where he will be forced to face the families and friends of his victims, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. Whether those families will get any answers about why he did it or how he came to target the home on King Road in Moscow remains to be seen. Kohberger pleaded guilty to the quadruple murder earlier this month in a deal to avoid the death penalty. He will have an opportunity to speak at the sentencing - as will the loved ones of his victims. Here's what to expect at the killer's sentencing today. THE LOGISTICS The sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin at 9am MT on July 23 in Ada County Courthouse and is expected to last the full day. Judge Steven Hippler has also set aside Thursday should it run into a second day. Public seating in the courtroom is first-come, first-served. The hearing will also be livestreamed. Unlike other court hearings where Kohberger has been allowed to wear his own clothes, he will be forced to appear in court in prison garb. VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS During the sentencing, the families and friends of the victims will be given the opportunity to confront the man who slaughtered their loved ones when they deliver victim impact statements to the court. Many have already revealed their plans to do so, including members of the Goncalves family and Kernodle's mom Cara Northington. Chapin's parents have said the family will not attend the hearing, instead planning to do something together in their son's memory. As well as the families, the two surviving roommates Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke and other friends of the victims will also have the chance to speak publicly for the first time. Those who do want to address the court can speak in-person themselves or have a representative read out a statement on their behalf. WILL BRYAN KOHBERGER SPEAK? Before the judge hands down his sentence, Kohberger will also be given the opportunity to speak to the court - giving him one final opportunity to reveal why he decided to commit his heinous crime. After pleading guilty, a defendant is given a formal opportunity - called an allocution - to address the court to express remorse, accept responsibility and explain any mitigating circumstances they want the judge to consider in deciding their sentence. It is unclear if Kohberger plans to take that opportunity. There is no legal obligation for him to speak to the court or to explain his motive. Some of the victims' families have voiced their frustration that this was not a requirement of his plea deal. President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the matter, taking to Truth Social Monday to urge the judge to force Kohberger to 'explain why he did these horrible murders' in Wednesday's hearing. Since his arrest, Kohberger has cut a largely silent figure. At his change of plea hearing earlier this month, he gave only one-word answers to the judge's questions confirming he was guilty of the horrific crime. He offered no answers to the questions lingering in the case, including his motive for the murders, who his intended target was and how he chose his victims. Kohberger's sentence is already agreed upon, so he perhaps has less of an incentive to speak now. THE SENTENCE Judge Hippler is expected to sentence Kohberger to life in prison without the possibility of parole, in line with the controversial plea deal struck between the defense and prosecution in the case. In an unexpected change of plea hearing on July 2, Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. Under the terms of the plea deal, Kohberger will avoid the death penalty and will be sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for each of the murders, plus the maximum penalty of 10 years on the burglary count. Kohberger also agreed to waive his right to appeal the plea and sentence as part of the agreement. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Following the sentencing, Kohberger will be transferred to the custody of the Idaho Department of Correction, which will determine which prison will become home for the rest of his life. Due to the severity of his crime - and the high-profile nature of the case - Kohberger is expected to be sent to the state's only maximum security facility. Idaho Maximum Security Institution, which has been open since 1989, is home to other notorious inmates including doomsday cult killer Chad Daybell, who sits on death row. While Kohberger begins his lifetime behind bars, more information is expected to come to light about the murders. The gag order was lifted last week, finally allowing attorneys, law enforcement and other officials to speak about the case. At the time, both the prosecution and the defense said they would not make any statements until after the sentencing. Judge Hippler said the court will also begin the painstaking process to review all the records in the case to determine what can be unsealed and made public.
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Fox News
Bryan Kohberger traded death penalty for life sentence that could still end violently behind bars
Bryan Kohberger admitted to killing four University of Idaho students to avoid the death penalty, but his life could still be in danger, according to a former prison pastor who is in touch with convicts around the country. Kohberger, 30, was a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University when he snuck into a home 10 miles away and butchered Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, in a 4 a.m. knife attack. Some of them were asleep. The motive remains a mystery. He left behind a Ka-Bar knife sheath with his DNA on it. In exchange for his plea, he avoids the potential of facing a firing squad and instead gave up his right to appeal or seek a reduced sentence on four consecutive life prison terms without parole, plus another 10 years. "He's going to have a target on his back as soon as he walks in the door in general population," said Keith Rovere, a former prison pastor who is now the host of the Lighter Side of Serial Killers podcast, in which he interviews a sampling of the nation's most notorious murderers and other convicts. "Those who are doing life have nothing to lose," Rovere told Fox News Digital. "The badge of honor they would receive will get them much notoriety and respect in the prison and probably get them countless letters from the outside world — which could mean more money for them that people donate $5 here or $10 there for their commissary... Funny how notoriety will get you killed and how notoriety will get you respect in the same prison." The convicts are going to eat him up. According to Kohberger's own lawyers, he is noticeably awkward. A psychiatrist hired by the defense diagnosed him with autism spectrum disorder, finding he has "poor insight into his role in relationships," a sense of humor and speaks in canned phrases. His former boxing coach revealed last week that he never actually sparred in the gym and only showed up after his father, Michael Kohberger, brought him there to boost his confidence. "The convicts are going to eat him up in Idaho state prison," said Seth Ferranti, a former prisoner and now a documentary and film director whose most recent work is "A Tortured Mind," which explores post-prison psychology. "He'll probably get protective custody, because of the high-profile case," he told Fox News Digital. "But killers don't respect people who kill kids or students. He will get attacked even in protective custody, and some lifer might just end his miserable existence." Death row could be a more comfortable option, said Rovere the former prison pastor, at least while it lasts. "He would have been away from general population and much safer — and more than likely die of natural causes in prison rather than the state putting him to death, with all the appeals," he said. According to the Idaho Department of Corrections, inmates who either pose a higher risk to other inmates or who are "especially vulnerable" can be housed with higher security. Ron McAndrew, a longtime Florida prison warden who for a period oversaw the "Gainesville Ripper" serial killer Danny Rolling, said prison officials could place Kohberger in isolation, have him escorted around by extra guards or take other increased security measures while he is in custody. "Some inmates, especially those that are vicious or have mental problems, see killing someone like this as a status symbol," McAndrew told Fox News Digital. "Especially if they're already on death row, and they kill another inmate, what are you going to do?" Rolling, like Kohberger and fellow serial killer Ted Bundy, killed multiple college students. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES AT THE FOX NEWS TRUE CRIME HUB McAndrew took part in a half-dozen executions, including a botched one that turned him against them. He is now a board member of Death Penalty Action, a nonprofit that opposes capital punishment. He said that Kohberger will have to work between 40 and 60 hours a week at a prison job while serving life without parole, as opposed to "getting room service three times a day" on death row while lazing away in protective custody. "To sentence someone to prison for life without the possibility of parole means that they'll be making a contribution for the rest of their lives as a worker at that prison," he said. "If he was on death row, that would not be the case. He would, in fact, be a burden on the prison, a burden on taxpayers, and waiting for a date to be executed some 25 or 30 years later." Rovere suggested Kohberger might be better off seeking a transfer to a prison in another state. While Idaho has fewer violent inmates than places like California, Texas and New York, prisoners there could have potential ties to the Pennsylvania man's victims. "You also have to take account of how many friends and family members of the victims might have a friend in there," he said. "Or a friend of a friend of a friend, who they can reach out to and make sure he's taken care of — or at least beaten very badly."
