Sentence Is In For Bryan Kohberger In University Of Idaho Murder Case

The man convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students was sentenced to four consecutive fixed life sentences without opportunity for parole.

Bryan Kohberger was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for the count of burglary, as well as a $50,000 fine and $5,000 civil penalty per count.

Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. As part of the guilty plea, he waived his right to appeal but escaped the death penalty.

“No parent should have to bury their child,” Judge Steven Hippler said before the sentencing. “This is the greatest tragedy that can be inflicted on a person.”

Hippler said he was unable to find anything redeeming in Kohberger.

“His actions have made him the worst of the worst,” Hippler said. “In my view, the time has now come to end Mr. Kohberger’s 15 minutes of fame.”

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador commended the sentence.

“Our hearts are with the victims and their families. While no sentence can bring full justice to this kind of evil, today’s sentence ensures that Bryan Kohberger will never see the outside of a prison and will never again harm innocent families,” Labrador said in a statement. “Under Idaho law, the fixed prison sentences mean Kohberger will never be eligible for parole. I’m especially grateful to Prosecutor Bill Thompson and my Criminal Division Chief, Jeff Nye, whose leadership, judgment, and tireless efforts brought this case to a just conclusion. Their teams served the State of Idaho with distinction, and our families and the public are safer because of their hard work.”

Before the sentencing, family members of the victims made statements before the court.

Kristi Goncalves, mother of Kaylee Goncalves, said Kohberger “will finally get what [he] wanted” in prison.

“A dead killer doesn’t kill again, so while I’m disappointed the firing squad won’t get to take their shots at you, I’m confident that the men in prison will have their way with you in more ways than one,” Kristi Goncalves said. “You will finally get what you wanted, physical touch, just probably not how you were expecting it.”

“Hell will be waiting,” Kristi Goncalves concluded.

Steve Goncalves, father of Kaylee Goncalves, told Kohberger, “From this moment, we will forget you.”

“Today we are here to finish what you started. Today you’ve lost control,” Steve Goncalves added. “Your actions have united everyone in their disgust for you.”

Randy Davis, the stepfather of Xana Kernodle, told the victims’ families, “I love you all and I feel your pain.”

He then told Kohberger to “go to hell,” and everyone applauded.

Kim Kernodle, the aunt of Xana Kernodle, told Kohberger she forgave him.

“This is probably gonna bother everybody, but Bryan, I’m here today to tell you I’ve forgiven you, because I could no longer live with that hate in my heart,” Kim Kernodle said. “And for me to become a better person, I have forgiven you.”

One of the surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensen, made her first public statement since the murders.

“Living is how I honor them,” Mortensen said. “Speaking today is to help me find some sort of justice for them and I will never let him take that from me. He may have taken so much from me, but he will never get to take my voice.”

“I get to feel sadness, I get to feel rage, I get to feel joy even when it’s hard, I get to feel love even when it hurts, I get to live, and while I will still live with this pain, at least I get to live my life. He will stay here, empty, forgotten and powerless,” she concluded.

After the impact statements, Prosecutor Bill Thompson showed photos of the four victims while family members cried in the background.

“We can’t undo and we can never undo the horror that occurred,” Thompson said. “From today forward, our memories should be focused on these innocent victims whose lives were taken on their families, on their friends, on the community.”

Kohberger declined to make a statement.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the sentencing during a press conference Wednesday.

“Our nation grieves with you, and we will never forget the precious souls who were lost in this horrific act of evil,” Leavitt said. “May God bless and watch over everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy, especially the parents who lost their children.”