Guilty Plea Anticipated in Idaho College Murders Case

Mon Oct 20 2025 13:14:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A plea deal may prevent the death penalty for the accused in the tragic stabbings of four University of Idaho students in 2022, stirring mixed emotions among victims' families.

Bryan Kohberger is expected to plead guilty to the murder charges related to the brutal killings of four roommates in Moscow, Idaho. Reports suggest that Kohberger will enter this plea as part of a deal with state prosecutors, aiming to avoid capital punishment. Although Latah County prosecutors have not confirmed the existence of the plea agreement, a family member of victim Kaylee Goncalves has expressed anger over the alleged deal on social media. The tragic incident occurred just before Thanksgiving in 2022, when Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen were fatally stabbed in their home.

Kohberger, a former graduate student in criminology at Washington State University, was indicted in May 2023 after authorities found crucial DNA evidence at the crime scene, linking him to the murders. The planned guilty plea may lead to a life sentence without parole, as prosecutors appear set to forgo the death penalty in exchange for a swift conclusion to the case. In correspondence shared with victims' families, the Moscow Prosecuting Attorney emphasized the importance of this resolution, underscoring their commitment to achieving justice.

Kohberger's legal team had previously raised concerns about the fairness of a local trial due to potential biases and sought to relocate the proceedings. However, they were unsuccessful in eliminating the death penalty as a possible sentence. Despite Idaho's capital punishment laws, there have been no executions since 2012. A hearing related to the plea deal is scheduled for Wednesday, as anticipation grows among the community impacted by this tragic event.