Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to murdering Idaho students in exchange for a life sentence without the possibility of the death penalty.

A 30-year-old man, Bryan Kohberger, has pleaded guilty to murdering four roommates in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022. Kohberger, a former PhD criminology student, entered into a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. The victims were Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen. Two other roommates, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, survived the attack. Kohberger was set to stand trial in August but pleaded guilty during a hearing. Judge Steven Hippler read the details of the agreement, including Kohberger waiving his right to appeal or seek leniency. The plea deal means that questions about Kohberger’s motives and other potential details will remain unanswered. The murders sparked intense public interest due to their brutal nature, the age of the victims, and Kohberger’s background in criminology. The plea deal has divided the victims’ families, with some feeling let down and others supporting the agreement. Kohberger was arrested weeks after the murders based on DNA evidence found on a leather knife sheath at the crime scene. The trial location was moved due to concerns about a fair hearing from local jurors. Idaho is one of 27 US states that allows for capital punishment, but there have been no executions since 2012.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2zvzm9v9jo