Bryan Kohberger is in court where he’s expected to plead guilty 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.
At the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, Kohberger briefly answered questions from Judge Steven Hippler with “yes” and “no.” This marked the first time Kohberger spoke in court proceedings.
One question was if he was thinking clearly, and Kohberger responded, “yes.” When asked if he was promised anything in exchange for the plea, Kohberger responded, “no.” Asked if he was pleading guilty because he is guilty, Kohberger responded, “yes.”
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.
Bryan Kohberger is shown in court at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, on July 2, 2025.
Idaho Fourth District Court/Youtube
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 also waives his right to appeal, the agreement said.
Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students, is escorted into court for a hearing in Latah County District Court, Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho.
Ted S. Warren/AP
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.
A photo posted by Kaylee Goncalves a few days before their deaths shows University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves.
Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram
But the dad of 21-year-old victim Kaylee Goncalves is blasting the move, accusing the prosecutors of mishandling and rushing the plea deal.
Steve Goncalves said outside court on Wednesday that the prosecution “made a deal with the devil.”
Steve Goncalves, father of one of four University of Idaho students stabbed to death in 2022, reacts to the expected guilty plea of suspect Bryan Kohberger, outside Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, July 2, 2025.
Matt Mills McKnight/Reuters
In this screen grab from a video, the Goncalves family arrives at the Ada County Courthouse for the Bryan Kohberger plea deal on July 2, 2025, in Boise, Idaho.
Pool via 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.
The family of 20-year-old victim Ethan Chapin said in a brief statement that they’re at the hearing “in support of the plea bargain.” This is the Chapins’ first appearance at court since their son was killed.
The family of Ethan Chapin including mother Stacy Chapin and father Jim Chapin walk to the Ada County Courthouse for Bryan Kohberger’s plea deal hearing on July 2, 2025, in Boise, Idaho.
Jenny Kane/AP
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.
Kohberger’s parents are in Boise for the hearing, as well — their first time in court with their son since his arrest in Pennsylvania more than two years ago. 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.”
People wait in line to get seats for the Bryan Kohberger plea deal hearing outside the Ada County Courthouse on July 2, 2025, in Boise, Idaho.
Jenny Kane/AP
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.
Four University of Idaho students were killed at an off-campus house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022.
Idaho Statesman/TNS via Getty Images, FILE
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 had said Kohberger was driving around alone on the night of the murders.
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.
