Idaho college killings: Kohberger can face death penalty if convicted

(NewsNation) — Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, can face the death penalty if convicted, a judge has ruled.

Kohberger’s defense team sought to remove the death penalty as a possible punishment, but Ada County Judge Steven Hippler denied its request.

The trial for Kohberger is set to begin in August.

Kohberger, 29, is charged in the deaths of four University of Idaho students who were found stabbed to death in an off-campus house in November of 2022.

The deaths of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, shocked the small town of Moscow, Idaho. Initially, investigators had few leads and spent considerable time tracing the activities of the four students in the hours prior to their deaths.

This journey for justice for Kaylee, Maddie, Xana, and Ethan has been filled with highs and lows. Some days, we are hopeful that justice will be served; other days, we are overwhelmed with hopelessness and sadness. Today is a day for hope! 

The past two years in front of Judge Judge have been marked by frustration and disappointment—whether it was failing to pronounce the victims’ names correctly, laughing in the courtroom, or entertaining every absurd motion or argument the defense could muster. That has been our reality. But now, we feel hopeful once again. 

We finally have a judge who appears prepared, thoughtful, and well-versed in the legal process. There is a newfound level of seriousness that has been absent for far too long. So, when we learned today that the motions to challenge the death penalty were denied, we were overjoyed—not just for our family, but for our friends, supporters, and everyone who has shed a tear, made a donation, or listened to the story of these beautiful children who were so senselessly taken from us. 

Justice is moving forward, and we pray that one day, in the not-so-distant future, it will be served. Thank you once again to everyone for your unwavering support and prayers, and a special thank you to the people of Boise, who have welcomed us with open arms.

Family of Kaylee Goncalves responds to death penalty update

At the time of the killings, Kohberger was a graduate student at nearby Washington State University, where he was working toward a Ph.D. in criminology.

Kohberger was arrested at his parent’s home in Pennsylvania weeks after the killings. The court filings describe the scene that night, alleging that law enforcement shattered a sliding glass door to the home and held the entire family at gunpoint.

NewsNation’s Stephanie Whiteside contributed to this report.