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

[Bodine]

Huh? I don't recall Watts ever being in federal custody. He was swapped from Colorado DOC to Wisconsin DOC in an interstate prison compact/exchange where he's been ever since.

Wisconsin DOC confirms Colorado man who killed wife, daughters at Dodge Correctional

Christopher Watts, 33, pleaded guilty to strangling his 15-week-pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, and smothering his daughters Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3.

www.fdlreporter.com

My bad, thought Dodge was a federal facility. You're correct, it's a Wisconsin facility.

Much apologies.

 

[Arkay]

I'm rewatching the proceedings and something jumped out at me.

The prosecutor said: "I can tell the court, the public: the weapon itself, the knife, has not yet been recovered".

That "yet" gives me hope that BK told them where he disposed of it and they're working on finding it.

JMO

Perhaps.

It would alleviate our curiosity, but IMO as it’s no longer needed to secure a conviction, I wonder if Idaho will invest the time and money necessary to find it, if Bryan disposed of it in a lake or a garbage container or another place where it won’t be easily found by now.

If Bryan were to say it’s in the right-hand drawer in his bedroom, then sure, but we know it wasn’t found in any obvious place that was searched by LE.

JMO

 

[Luna20]

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."

What would the info not presented be?

 

[10ofRods]

I hoped that before Judge Hippler accepted Bryan’s plea, he had to provide the location of the murder weapon and why he targeted these specific college students.

It won't be long before authors start contacting the murderer to begin interviewing or corresponding with him. You can bet his former professor from DeSales will write a book. She’s already appeared on a crime news show.

The judge doesn't have to accept the agreement concocted by both the prosecution and the defense.

He can add many things to the actual sentencing agreement, none of which seem to be covered in today's admissions. I think that's because the Prosecution demanded admission to the central facts of guilt (which the Judge appeared to ask BK about) and the Defense wanted some things left to the side, which is not a big deal when a conviction occurs.

This man pleaded guilty to 4 counts of premeditated homicide and one count of burglary, with a joint stipulation between Defense and Prosecution that he would serve sentences consecutively and also has a 10 year consecutive burglary count.

Barring total disintegration of the system in Idaho, he's in for life. He's probably the last person who will ever be released in this system.

He does get to join GenPop after some time alone. We'll see how he does. That, in and of itself can be a difficult sentence. Anyway, he spends his whole remaining life with psychopaths like himself.

IMO

 

[Miss Poovy]

I think the icing on the cake of BK being a definite candidate for the DP goes beyond circumstantial evidence or possible holes in the prosecution's case in seeking the DP.

They would have if they could have, IMO, but then comes the plea. Maybe desperately wanted by both sides to avoid the uncertainties of trial and them being willing to take the DP off the table to gain a confession. Finally.

Another consideration (can't link legal verbiage at the moment for the state of Idaho's laws, so MOO) are the particular circumstances and depravity of him committing these murders, which could trigger a DP versus LWOP:

The heinous nature of killing four innocent people in their home at night while most of them were sleeping or close to it at 4 am ish, and were essentially disabled with no way to fight back, with no previous interactions or possible warnings or triggers ever having been sussed out or apparent to the victims....

Because BK did it all on the down low. Creeper sicko extraordinaire.

I do think it's still a DP-worthy case, but compromising to get as close as possible to LWOP (4 life sentences for murder served consecutively along with 10 years for burglary) without risking trial with the potential for a not guilty verdict from the jury or possibly endless appeals if he were found guilty, well, they decided on Option B.

JMO as always

Devil’s Advocate: States aren’t required to have the death penalty, so I’m dismayed that Idaho is afraid to use it. If Idado citizens do not want the death penalty, it may be removed from their penal code. Appeals are the usual course of action in D-P cases and yes, the prisoner is on death row for years.

 

[Peppery]

My perspective on AT touching his arm:

In my career, I’ve cared for a variety of criminals. Almost all male, majority of the violent crimes were murder or rape, and all under the custody of the state prison system while hospitalized. I had to learn how to compartmentalize the patient from their crime so I could effectively do my job. I suspect criminal defense attorneys have to do something similar. At times the patient was hospitalized for a long time and it’s natural to almost forget what they’ve done and just see them as a regular person.

It could be that SG thinks/knows the Kohberger’s were given notice of the plea deal/hearing prior to the victim’s families being notified/given time to consider. So possibly more of an indictment by SG of the prosecutor’s actions than a comment about the Kohberger’s.

maybe they were, in a way. BK may have been mulling over this decision with his family for days/weeks/months. We don't know when BK made the final decision to plea, when or how long he had been discussing the possibility with his attorneys. It appears his family, or mother specifically, had some kind of influence over his plea and that she's felt this way for a very long time.

It's just another part of the inner workings of BK's mind we'll probably never know.

 

[10ofRods]

BBM

Is BK required to say anything at all other than he is guilty of all counts during the hearing?

The way I read the documents, the Judge can reduce his sentence but not increase it (the only increase is the DP, so that's off the table).

The Judge could demand allocution in return for two of the sentences running concurrently or something like that. He'd still be in for life, so I'm not sure why the Judge would do that.

He is convicted on the facts he admitted to, today. It's over. He can be made to say more perhaps, to get a different sentence or a different prison. I think the Judge knows enough to sentence him properly. There's tons of evidence we will eventually hear of, without any action from BK.

 

[Teche]

I'm curious to know about the phone conversations Bryan had with his parent(s) after the gruesome murders.

 

[Bahshudc]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1940550326953914879

 

[Megnut]

Bbm.
I don't think he threatened anyone; but said that from the flight times that possibly BK's family were told of the plea deal before the families of the victims ?
IF so, that would be problematic, imo.

AT knew she had no case. We know she found BK difficult to reason with, guessing he was inviting her to coffee and not responding to the gravity of the situation he was in.

I don't know or care whether he values his life but the biggest advantage to what happened today is that it's done. Done, done and done.

Perhaps she finally got through to him, where the case stood, geez, she was struggling to get anyone to speak on his behalf at mitigation --

My guess, BK's parents were integral in his decision to appeal, and that's why they were in town before anyone knew of a potential plea (if indeed they were).

Unlike the State with multiple victims, the Defense had one family to consider and she may have developed a good, working relationship with them. For all we know, they've been encouraging him to plead guilty all along.

The plea agreement came from AT, it makes sense that AT, BK and his family would know it was close, before presenting it to the State. No favoritism. The State, the Court didn't give them first rights or extra courtesy.

At least that is my take on it.

JMO

 

[Odeto BJ]

I would guess he chose to kill Ethan not only because he could, also likely to some degree he resented Ethan for being a nice, popular guy who could have a relationship with and hang out with all the pretty girls. What he wanted but couldn’t get, wasn’t capable of having attached meaningful relationships like Ethan and killed him out of anger, rage, jealousy simply because Ethan was who he was and who BK wanted to be but could never be.

I agree he likely didn’t see DM and didn’t realize there was an occupied room on the bottom level.
DM and BF are lucky to be alive.
My heart goes out to both young ladies’ for the trauma they have endured and for any survivors guilt they may have had or possibly still experiencing and hope they have a good support system. One of the reasons I’m satisfied with the plea agreement is that these two young ladies’ will be spared from having to be re-traumatized having to face the killer BK in court, testifying, and possible appeals being dragged out for years and years etc., which imo would be dreadful and re-traumatizing for the victims families’, DM and BF.

BK admitted in open court today that he knowingly, premeditated and killed each and every one of the precious four college students, and that he understood that he is going away for LWOP and no appeals. If he went on trial, there is always the chance that one juror could hold out/not vote to convict, potential mistrial declared, or etc., etc., meaning more years of potential turmoil for the surviving victims and victims’ families having to go through more trials without guarantee of conviction and BK potentially being set free in society to kill again. Awful, dreadful and scary thought.

IMO we may never know the “why” unless BK decides to talk someday.
And even if he does eventually decide to talk and elaborate on why/motive etc., it very likely will not be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. IOW, a complete fabrication or some skewed version to maintain control and keep the interested public on the edge of their seat hanging on his every word, so to speak.

I honestly hope he receives no further attention once they lock him up in prison and throw away the key but know that he likely will be getting more attention as KR expressed interest in working with him on a book. Also, understanding criminal minds’ types aka professional criminal profilers’ at some point will likely be looking to try and interview him in prison etc. It will all depend if it’ll be allowed by the powers that be and/or if he agrees to sitting down and meeting with them from prison for interviews but again, whether or not he tells the whole truth to the interested parties’ would be anyone’s guess.

IMHOO

RIP Kaylee,Maddie,Xana,Ethan, you’ll never be forgotten. xx

Well said. Selected BBM.

I also believe we will never know the "why" but I believe that will remain true even if BK partners with KR or others on a book; or additionally, even if interviewed by criminal profilers. Not because it would be a complete fabrication...fabrication implying that BK has reason to deliberately deceive.
Rather I believe that BK's "why" did not rise to a comprehensible motive or even a baseless and self-deceptive mantra 963 days ago. His motive was closely related to the anticipation of the murders rather than the action itself. With the action complete, there was an immediate emotional rebirth, and with all the time that has passed since, the anticipation has disappeared entirely and the emotive framework has evolved.
What I'm trying to say is, BK himself cannot describe the original "why" because he did not understand it in the first place; his rational mind could prepare for the crimes but could not sustain the anticipation after the fact. Anything he relates at this point would be a constructed reason, a rationalization without recognition or accomodation of how his mind was working immediately before the crimes. Not a deliberate lie, but not an accurate synopsis either.
All JMO and I am not a psychologist or psychiatrist or similar.

 

[Cindizzi]

SG says that if it had been 4 other people- not college students, then it would have been the death penalty.

I’m not sure I understand how he arrived at that ???

https://twitter.com/x/status/1940551929513578807

 

[Chimera]

AT knew she had no case. We know she found BK difficult to reason with, guessing he was inviting her to coffee and not responding to the gravity of the situation he was in.

I don't know or care whether he values his life but the biggest advantage to what happened today is that it's done. Done, done and done.

Perhaps she finally got through to him, where the case stood, geez, she was struggling to get anyone to speak on his behalf at mitigation --

My guess, BK's parents were integral in his decision to appeal, and that's why they were in town before anyone knew of a potential plea (if indeed they were).

Unlike the State with multiple victims, the Defense had one family to consider and she may have developed a good, working relationship with them. For all we know, they've been encouraging him to plead guilty all along.

The plea agreement came from AT, it makes sense that AT, BK and his family would know it was close, before presenting it to the State. No favoritism. The State, the Court didn't give them first rights or extra courtesy.

At least that is my take on it.

JMO

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense !

I am and always will be so sorry for the families of the victims who will never get to see their loved ones' faces or hear their voices.
BK destroyed his own family as well.
From now on, they'll be remembered for what their son and brother did -- and nothing else.
Senseless and so selfish of him !
Imo.

 

[Luna20]

At this point why would he not tell where the murder weapon is? I do wonder what he was doing from the time he ordered it until he used it in November...

It’s power and control. He has something that the public wants to know. It’s his sole choice that no one can take away from him.

 

[Arkay]

Thank you, @Love Never Fails

 

[mickey2942]

My bad, thought Dodge was a federal facility. You're correct, it's a Wisconsin facility.

Much apologies.

You may have been thinking of Derek Chauvin, I believe he transferred from state prison in Minnesota to a federal prison, and another federal prison after he was stabbed.

Derek Chauvin update: Prison stabbing, appeals, sentence length and where he is now

Derek Chauvin, convicted of murdering George Floyd, was stabbed in prison and is now serving his sentence in a different facility

www.police1.com

 

[snooptroop88]

I really don't feel good after that guys, I don't know my feelings are that the people of the state of Idaho want the DP in their state. I feel like this case went against the people. I mean if they can't execute their wishes and execute Bryan for murdering 4 people. if it's just taken away at the whim of a few people...It doesn't seem right. I'm not sure about the death penalty. but it's up to the people of the state and the people wanted a trial. Judge Hippler looked as though he was restraining himself and was white with rage. Honestly I don't know how he even got through it.

there is no way he gets any kind of minimum sentence...and honestly Bryan won't survive prison.
no way. mOO

Forgive the subjectivity on this, but as I look at the recordings of BK's face today, I felt like I was looking right right into the face of the murderer as he really is. I haven't had this experience with BK in the past; he has never registered with me in this manner before. Watching him today, even without context or his words, without the "guilty," I saw BK with an entirely different face, and I think that's as close as we can safely come to seeing the face that went to Moscow that night without ending up dead. While it didn't give me chills or anything, I seriously felt like I was looking into the face and eyes of some particularly terrifying strain of madman. (Had a similar sensation once watching a Bundy interview where the reporter said something that Ted evidently didn't like.)

He'd do it again. I feel he'll be safe in prison, but jmo.

RIP Kaylee, Maddie, Ethan and Xana.

 

[10ofRods]

Perhaps.

It would alleviate our curiosity, but IMO as it’s no longer needed to secure a conviction, I wonder if Idaho will invest the time and money necessary to find it, if Bryan disposed of it in a lake or a garbage container or another place where it won’t be easily found by now.

If Bryan were to say it’s in the right-hand drawer in his bedroom, then sure, but we know it wasn’t found in any obvious place that was searched by LE.

JMO

Like you, I can't see why he would have to give them this, if he admitted he killed four people with a Ka-Bar knife. Which he has done.

It would satisfy public curiousity, but once a conviction is secured, that's just an extra expense (he might want to negotiate even more and it's best to give him the maximum sentence).

I sure do hope the eventual final agreement includes a clause that says any money he makes from interviews or books goes into the fund for victims.

 

[Peppery]

IMO, any "control" BK feels is solely in his head.

He'll never be in control of anything in his life ever again. Sure he knows where the knife and clothes are. He knows when and why he picked these 4 kids. But he'll never decide what time he wakes up or what he eats for breakfast or what is on TV. He'll never decide what music to listen or books to read or midnight snack to have. No latest iPhone or blockbuster movie or hike under the stars. Never get that PhD, never TA another class, never share all the knowledge he thinks he has. He'll never have a minute of silence, or darkness, or aloneness, never a moment he's not being watched. He may become institutionalized but he will never be in control of anything again.

 

[bestill]

Forgive the subjectivity on this, but as I look at the recordings of BK's face today, I felt like I was looking right right into the face of the murderer as he really is. I haven't had this experience with BK in the past; he has never registered with me in this manner before. Watching him today, even without context or his words, without the "guilty," I saw BK with an entirely different face, and I think that's as close as we can safely come to seeing the face that went to Moscow that night without ending up dead. While it didn't give me chills or anything, I seriously felt like I was looking into the face and eyes of some particularly terrifying strain of madman. (Had a similar sensation once watching a Bundy interview where the reporter said something that Ted evidently didn't like.)

He'd do it again. I feel he'll be safe in prison, but jmo.

RIP Kaylee, Maddie, Ethan and Xana.

He was so interested in the State's timeline of what happened, it was intense. He will spend the rest of his life thinking about his mistakes. If he had succeeded in this I do believe he would do it again. Personally I think he may be thinking and planning on how to do it in prison.

All JMO