PLEA DEAL REACHED - 4 Univ of Idaho Students Murdered, Bryan Kohberger Arrested, Moscow, Nov 2022 #110

[gremlin444]

So do we know that’s how they determined the order?

No, we do not because nothing has been released about the autopsies. When the non dissemination order is lifted and paperwork comes, we will start to see these things (though, judges can order certain things not to be released/remain sealed like Judge Gull ordered for Abby & Libby's autopsy photos and records in the Delphi murders). If autopsy reports remain sealed, I am certain it sure how they determine order will show up in other documents.

From the very first time we saw the charges against him they have always been in this order:

https://coi.isc.idaho.gov/docs/CR29-22-2805/122922+Criminal+Complaint.pdf (look at page 2)

burglary (so, entering the residence with intent to commit murder--that's part of Idaho's definition being applied to this case)
1st degree murder--MM
1st degree murder--KG
1st degree murder--XK
1st degree murder--EC

And it has always been cited in court documents as such. Chronological order of events.

 

[Sundog]

I may well have misunderstood, but I thought as of his next appearance for his official sentencing no more street clothes because he has admitted his guilt x5.
MOO

Yes, he no longer has the presumption of innocence.

 

[Surfbrah]

Question: When prosecutor was citing the evidence, did he say that Dylan saw Bryan carrying something, like a package or some other item? I thought I heard him say that but could be wrong.

 

[Danaya]

Well, the Defense asked for a plea deal. And if the death penalty isn't for cold-blooded premeditated murder of 4 people. 3 of them in their beds, then what is it for? Chad Daybell is sitting on death row. It's not like the leverage the DP into a plea in every case.

Exactly. Idaho law outlines several aggravating factors that qualify a defendant for the death penalty — and this case meets multiple:

• The murders created a great risk of death to many people
• They were especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel
• They were committed during the commission of a burglary
• The victims were particularly vulnerable
• The defendant exhibited utter disregard for human life

These factors are clearly present. The decision not to pursue death wasn’t due to lack of legal standing or evidence — it was a discretionary move by the state. And it’s reasonable for people to question that choice.

 

[NuttMegg]

I’ve been thinking a lot about this ever since the plea deal was announced.

A lot of people here are focused on wanting a full confession—details about what happened, why he did it, what led up to it.
But that’s not justice. Justice isn’t a few answers handed out after the fact—it’s a process. And the moment Bryan Kohberger was offered a plea, that process was cut off.

Now, thanks to the state, there will be no trial. No cross-examination. No full discovery. Realistically, he doesn’t have to say a damn thing.

So if you’re still waiting for him to open up, ask yourself: why would he? The system gave him a shortcut.

And now, in one of the most high-profile murder cases in the country, Bryan Kohberger holds the key to what comes out and what stays hidden. He can speak—or not. Release details—or sit on them. The public and the victims’ families have no say anymore. That was the cost of avoiding trial.

And that brings us to the question of justice. Whether you agree with capital punishment or not is irrelevant. This isn’t about personal beliefs. It’s about the law. And under Idaho Code §19-2515, Bryan Kohberger was eligible for the death penalty.

Multiple victims. Premeditation. Extreme brutality. Atrocious cruelty.
All elements which qualified Kohberger for the maximum sentence under Idaho law: death.
Not life.
Not a plea.
Death—by lethal injection, or by firing squad if necessary.

Bryan Kohberger is not some kind of criminal mastermind. He ambushed four young people in their own home while they were completely unarmed and unsuspecting. It was a sneak attack. Three of the victims were small, unarmed women. One was a young man cornered in a bedroom with his girlfriend.
Any physically capable man with a knife and no conscience could have carried that out. This wasn’t intelligence or strategy. It was pure, unfiltered violence—the exact kind of brutality that the death penalty is meant to address.

Kohberger’s background in criminology is irrelevant. His education doesn’t matter. This isn’t a psychological puzzle to solve.

What matters is what he did—and what the law says should happen when someone commits a crime like this.

It doesn’t matter if someone believes life in prison is worse. That belief is irrelevant. Legally, the maximum penalty in Idaho for a person convicted of a brutal mass murder is death.

So the question remains: if that’s the most severe sentence—and he met every legal condition—why wasn’t it pursued?

The evidence was strong. His defense team knew it. The guilty plea reflects that.
So why was a deal even on the table?

And no, I don’t think Steve Goncalves is acting out in grief. He’s not confused. He’s right. He's rightfully outraged.

And dismissing his outrage only serves to protect the man who murdered his daughter.

From your post "And now, in one of the most high-profile murder cases in the country, Bryan Kohberger holds the key to what comes out and what stays hidden. He can speak—or not. Release details—or sit on them."

Ditto that. As much as we hold him with contempt he's got the power to turn his name on in the media whenever he feels like it. Last scene, the movie "Seven", "John Doe's got the upper hand". He's in his realm. I think incarceration means little to him.

 

[Boodles]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1940446639745048786

That kind of sounds like a threat. Goncalves needs to get control of himself. BKs parents aren’t the guilty parties -leave them out of this.

 

[Jw192]

Question: When prosecutor was citing the evidence, did he say that Dylan saw Bryan carrying something, like a package or some other item? I thought I heard him say that but could be wrong.

Yah. It's been mentioned in doc drops that Dylan saw him walking out and looked like he was carrying something that looked like a hoover pipe/attachment. It's been debates on here what it was and imo it was the knife wrapped in something, a piece of clothing maybe and looked something like this

 

[seasideForest]

Question: When prosecutor was citing the evidence, did he say that Dylan saw Bryan carrying something, like a package or some other item? I thought I heard him say that but could be wrong.

I heard that too. MOO

 

[Peppery]

I'm glad that Prosecutor Bill Thompson provided a summary of the evidence, but the number of unanswered questions is mind boggling. For instance, who said ''There’s someone here''? Was that Kaylee? That was the pivotal moment the residents realized something very wrong was going on.

That’s one question we’ll never get an answer for. I wouldn’t be surprised if even BK doesn’t know the answer. He either didn’t hear/register it or if he did hear it, just doesn’t know. My guess though is Xana said it.

 

[gremlin444]

Question: When prosecutor was citing the evidence, did he say that Dylan saw Bryan carrying something, like a package or some other item? I thought I heard him say that but could be wrong.

I just rewatched. Prosecutor said "holding some sort of container in his hand."

 

[Twistinginthewind]

How does LE even know in what order the victims were killed?
BK isn’t talking, so what kind of evidence indicates he went upstairs first, then Xana, then Ethan?

RSBM. IMO, they could tell by assessing several factors:

The extreme brutality unleashed on Kaylee & Maddie upstairs & leaving the knife sheath there (they died in bed asleep at first anyway and no defensive wounds), the starting point as it were, followed by a different more confrontational looking and defensive type of wounds on Xana, especially her hands, and then Ethan's different but not confrontational brutal wounds while asleep, taking extra time carving his legs reportedly, as the end phase of his murder spree.

Time of death estimates even if less than 10 minutes apart (Xana ordering food & on SM) during the minutes he was murdering Kaylee & Maddie & Xana was still alive and unaware at first about what was happening upstairs

Whose blood was [ETD not on the knife but around the house, but the first victims' blood would have been on the knife unless he cleaned it and possibly show up mixed in with Xana's & Ethan's, but none of their blood was found on Kaylee or Maddie] on different layers of blood splatter possibly, as in Kaylee & Maddie's under Xana & Ethan's, even if it was mixed up. IMO a careful analysis of the age in minutes in terms of drying indicators could have shown something definitive. And only Kaylee and Maddie's blood was on the sheath with his DNA, so that's where he started.

Also, they had DM's, BF's, and the DD driver's testimonies and ring camera audio from their neighbor's (dog barking, loud thumps heard through the outside wall of Xana's bedroom purportedly) tying it all together in terms of who he killed when during those 13 minutes (IIRC), based on what they each heard and/or saw.

There could also be an indication in the evidence that he definitely came to kill Maddie & Kaylee, so they would have been first, primary targets (he could see into Maddie's room from parking above behind the house and see into her windows and that she was asleep we now know) and if he had slipped in the slider as we now know and up the stairs to get to them primarily while DM & Ethan were asleep & Xana was eating while on SM and didn't hear or see him.

I think there was evidence aplenty to support the Prosecution's order of their murders, even if more or less than these possibilities, and the public doesn't need or care to know about the details.

They got their man.

All MOO

 

[DearPrudence]

The judge was making me anxious with all that shuffling of his documents.

What is making me more anxious is the fact that the judge didn't mention life sentence WITHOUT PAROLE at any time during the hearing. I can't imagine the horror of the victim's families having to return to parole hearings for the rest of their {or BK's} lives.

 

[crhedBngr]

In my real life, I will be back in Florida where my father will be having surgery for aggressive kidney cancer on July 22nd. In such a trivial way, compared to what is happening to my dad, I was happy the judge changed it to the 23rd.

I’ll still be with him in the hospital and don’t know if I’ll get around to watching it, but at least the surgery will be over and I can try to think about other things.

I am satisfied now by the plea deal. I feel relief that we got to hear him admit to each charge, despite his nonchalance, and now we don’t need to be concerned about one potential juror thinking he’s innocent.

JMO

Sending thoughts of healing and strength to you and your father.

JMVHO.

 

[Boodles]

Question: When prosecutor was citing the evidence, did he say that Dylan saw Bryan carrying something, like a package or some other item? I thought I heard him say that but could be wrong.

You’re correct. I can’t remember the word he used - something like container or package maybe?

 

[Seattle1]

Exactly. His only "power" now is attention and holding the families in controlled and continued excruciating "not knowing the details or if he is sorry pain" space. I still hope he is eliminated quickly in prison by Karma's representatives.

side note/question ~~~ Is BK being prevented in any way from profiting from these murders, ie. writing a book/movie rights ect? I CERTIANLY HOPE THAT (prevention of any of this) IS INCLUDED IN THIS PLEA.

I was watching the proceeding on Seattle's Kings 5 Station which was being narrated by a former prosecutor/retired Judge (Bradshaw) and he was quick to point out that the Judge cited the restitution Order for BK for each victim but there was no Order to prohibiting BK from profiting from his life story, etc.

Not every state has a Slayer Statute and I confirmed that Idaho only provides for the convicted not to benefit from the estate of the victim --they can't inherit and can't be the beneficiary of life insurance proceeds.

It appears Idaho may view this matter similarly to MA where they've taken the position that such a law is unconstitutional where the convicted can be ordered to pay restitution but prevented from earning money. MOO

Kohberger pleads guilty to Idaho murders, but still hasn't shared a motive

Bryan Kohberger admitted to murdering Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, but he still hasn't said why he did it.

www.king5.com

 

[Arkay]

Sending thoughts of healing and strength to you and your father.

JMVHO.

Thank you so much.

 

[ilovewings]

Judge's Reaction to Mr. G's Request? No surprise to me.

Quoting from my own post 38 yesterday:

"Mr. G seems to openly be soliciting ppl to urge the presiding judge to make decisions and rulings based on information not presented in party's motions, briefs, or in the courtroom.
If anyone supporting BK had been doing the same, Mr. G. would be raising hell imo.
ICBW, jmo.


"A secondary point --- Spreading Judge H's Phone Number

"From Mr G's stmt: "The number available online for the Honorable Steven Hippler is 208 -XXXX" <-My redaction here and in ^ post.
Spreading Judge H's Phone Number?
Okay, it's a publicly avail. number online, but ---
seems Mr. G is advocating that ppl contact the judge and ignore our criminal justice system's legally imposed procedures."

I am just going to come out and say it: I do not like Mr G--- I understand his grief -- and mourning -- but he really does go overboard and he seems to have zero respect for the process and the prosecution team that in fact has brought some level of justice to the monster who took his precious daughter's life.

 

[wendy44]

I’ve been thinking a lot about this ever since the plea deal was announced.

A lot of people here are focused on wanting a full confession—details about what happened, why he did it, what led up to it.
But that’s not justice. Justice isn’t a few answers handed out after the fact—it’s a process. And the moment Bryan Kohberger was offered a plea, that process was cut off.

Now, thanks to the state, there will be no trial. No cross-examination. No full discovery. Realistically, he doesn’t have to say a damn thing.

So if you’re still waiting for him to open up, ask yourself: why would he? The system gave him a shortcut.

And now, in one of the most high-profile murder cases in the country, Bryan Kohberger holds the key to what comes out and what stays hidden. He can speak—or not. Release details—or sit on them. The public and the victims’ families have no say anymore. That was the cost of avoiding trial.

And that brings us to the question of justice. Whether you agree with capital punishment or not is irrelevant. This isn’t about personal beliefs. It’s about the law. And under Idaho Code §19-2515, Bryan Kohberger was eligible for the death penalty.

Multiple victims. Premeditation. Extreme brutality. Atrocious cruelty.
All elements which qualified Kohberger for the maximum sentence under Idaho law: death.
Not life.
Not a plea.
Death—by lethal injection, or by firing squad if necessary.

Bryan Kohberger is not some kind of criminal mastermind. He ambushed four young people in their own home while they were completely unarmed and unsuspecting. It was a sneak attack. Three of the victims were small, unarmed women. One was a young man cornered in a bedroom with his girlfriend.
Any physically capable man with a knife and no conscience could have carried that out. This wasn’t intelligence or strategy. It was pure, unfiltered violence—the exact kind of brutality that the death penalty is meant to address.

Kohberger’s background in criminology is irrelevant. His education doesn’t matter. This isn’t a psychological puzzle to solve.

What matters is what he did—and what the law says should happen when someone commits a crime like this.

It doesn’t matter if someone believes life in prison is worse. That belief is irrelevant. Legally, the maximum penalty in Idaho for a person convicted of a brutal mass murder is death.

So the question remains: if that’s the most severe sentence—and he met every legal condition—why wasn’t it pursued?

The evidence was strong. His defense team knew it. The guilty plea reflects that.
So why was a deal even on the table?

And no, I don’t think Steve Goncalves is acting out in grief. He’s not confused. He’s right. He's rightfully outraged.

And dismissing his outrage only serves to protect the man who murdered his daughter.

The use of IGG as an investigative tool in an active case is an issue of first impression in Idaho and not yet tested in the courts there or by the Supreme Court. That alone makes this case different. I think they were right to not take the chance. We have no idea how the higher courts will eventually come down on this.
JMO

 

[NuttMegg]

I haven't yet read all the responses. I was able to watch most of the hearing but had to step away at 2pm (EST) for a meeting.

It felt tense & surreal to me. And inexorably sad. So, so, so many people adversely affected for life. And BK giving his quick, clear answers to yes/no questions like he still wants to be the teacher's pet. Courtroom LE obviously watching the spectators, I guess anticipating an outburst of some sort. That makes me sad too. The overview by BT was pretty much all stuff we knew/have discussed here on the WS community. So, thank you fellow WSers. I have learned so much about court cases through my time here.

Keeping all those affected in my heart. I'm sure they feel like crying today.

He's the type of guy who watches himself his entire life to judge his own responses, never having had spontaneous interactions. I am 100% positive he practiced those one-word replies beforehand. Probably before a mirror, or whatever surface they can use.

 

[NoeticSoul]

In my real life, I will be back in Florida where my father will be having surgery for aggressive kidney cancer on July 22nd. In such a trivial way, compared to what is happening to my dad, I was happy the judge changed it to the 23rd.

I’ll still be with him in the hospital and don’t know if I’ll get around to watching it, but at least the surgery will be over and I can try to think about other things.

I am satisfied now by the plea deal. I feel relief that we got to hear him admit to each charge, despite his nonchalance, and now we don’t need to be concerned about one potential juror thinking he’s innocent.

JMO

Sending much love and healing vibes to your dad, and you, and your family!