ADA COUNTY, Idaho — Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, was back in court in Ada County at 9 a.m. on Wednesday for sentencing, after formally pleading guilty earlier this month.
Kohberger agreed to the plea deal just weeks before his trial was set to begin, after the defense tried but failed to strike the death penalty. The plea was met with mixed emotions from the families of the four victims.
In court on Wednesday, victims and families had the chance to give impact statements, prior to the judge's sentencing. Kohberger also had the opportunity to speak, but opted against it.
Watch the full sentencing hearing below:
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12:45 p.m.: Officials are holding a press conference following Kohberger's sentencing.
A Moscow police official says investigators believe the location targeted by Kohberger wasn’t chosen at random.
“The evidence suggests that there was a reason that this particular house was chosen. What the reason is, we don’t know,” Police Corporal Brett Payne said at a news conference after Kohberger’s sentencing.
Payne speculated that the location might have been strategically chosen because it allowed Kohberger to “hide in plain sight,” since it is an area with plenty of college students who are often outside late at night
12:05 p.m.: Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador released a statement commending the court for Kohberger's sentence.
“Today’s sentencing ensures one thing: That the perpetrator will never again walk free,” Labrador said. “In fact, he will never harm another family.”
12 p.m.: Madison Mogen's family, along with their attorney, are speaking to the public outside the courtroom.
11:50 a.m.: Kaylee's dad Steve Goncalves is speaking outside of the courtroom, following Kohberger's sentencing. He says that investigators called him to share more details of the case, following President Trump posting that Kohberger should be required to speak on his motives.
11:30 a.m.: Hippler has sentenced Kohberger to four fixed life terms in prison, as well as a $50k fine for each of the four murders, plus $5k to be paid to each of the victim's families.
The defendant will be turned over to the Idaho State Board of Corrections.
11:30 a.m.: Judge Hippler addresses the courtroom and says that he too wants to understand the "why," but doesn't believe Kohberger will ever be honest about his motices, adding that continuing to ask the question only gives Kohberger continued relevance.
"Do we really believe after all of this that he's capable of speaking the truth?," Hippler asked. "His actions have made him the worst of the worst. Even after pleading guilty, he has expressed no remorse."
11:20 a.m.: Kohberger confirms that he will not be speaking.
11:10 a.m.: Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson says that their team was fully prepared to go to trial, but were approached by the defense about a plea agreement earlier this summer.
"We understand that there was a difference of opinion among the families (regarding the plea deal)," Thompson said. He added that the only plea they were willing to offer meant that Kohberger was pleading guilty to all charges, with no possibilty of appeal.
11:05 a.m.: The state says that they have no further impact statements.
11 a.m.: Xana's biological mother, Cara Northington, is now giving her statement.
10:55 a.m.: Kim Kernodle, Xana's aunt, is speaking next. "I'm here today to tell you that I forgive you because I can no longer live with that hate in my heart," Kim told Kohberger in court.
She added that she "will be here" for Kohberger if he ever wants to talk about why he committed these murders.
10:40 a.m.: Next up is the family of Xana Kernodle — first up will be her older sister, Jazzmin Kernodle, who says that despite being older, was always looking up to Xana.
"Xana will never be the maid of honor at my wedding or the aunt of my future children," Jazzmin said. "But her light still shines and her voice will echo louder than this pain. You haven't taken that from her and you never will."
10:20 a.m.: Shanon Gray, the Goncalves family attorney, read several statements from other family members of Kaylee.
10:10 a.m.: Alivia Goncalves, Kaylee's sister, is giving her impact statement, which is full of questions for Kohberger.
"I will call you what you are. Sociopath. Physchopath. Murderer," Alivia said. "Why did you choose my sister?"
The courtroom let out a small applause after Alivia finished her statement.
10 a.m.: Steve Goncalves, the father is Kaylee Goncalves, is now speaking.
"Today we are here to finish what you started ... and to prove to the world that you picked the wrong families," Goncalves said, looking at Kohberger. "The world is watching because of the kids, not because of you. No one cares about you."
Goncalves thanks all of the officers and others who worked on this case over the past three years.
9:50 a.m.: Ben Mogen, the father of Maddie, is up next to speak.
"Maddie was my only child that I ever had, and she was the only really great thing I ever did," Mogen said.
Mogen read from a Father's Day card that Maddie had sent him, which he says is the last thing he wrote to him. "I hope you have the best day, can't wait til we get to hangout again soon..," Maddie wrote to her dad. "I hope you're doing well, I'm proud of how far you've come."
9:45 a.m.: Kim cheeley, Maddie's grandmother, is now giving her statement.
9:30 a.m.: Madison Mogen's step dad, Scott Laramie, is next up to give an impact statement. "We will grow old without our child and in the end there are no words that can capture the devestation of losing Maddie," he said. "We will not let our grief consume us."
When addressing Kohberger directly, Laramie said that "evil does not deserve our time or attention," adding that his family will focus on healing.
Leander James, the attorney for the Mogen family, is also reading a statement from Maddie's mom, Karen Laramie.
9:21 a.m.: Dylan Mortensen, another roommate who was in the house the time, is the next victim to give a statement. She is speaking for herself.
In her statement, Dylan recounts a dream she had recently, where she was finally able to say goodbye to her friends that were killed. "He took their lives, but I will continue to try to be like them to make them proud," Dylan said. "He may have taken so much from me but he will never take my voice or the memories I have with them."
9:10 a.m.: The first impact statement is being read by Emily Alandt on behalf of Bethany Funke, who was a roommate that was inside that house at the time of the 2022 murders. She expresses that she's dealt with extreme guilt and fear since the murders took place.
"Maddie was not only one of my best friends, she was the big sister that I always wanted," Bethany wrote. "I will keep living for them as long as I am still lucky enough to be here."
9 a.m.: Bryan Kohberger is present in the courtroom. No testimony is expected other than impact statements.
Judge Steven Hippler clarified that all victims who will be speaking have agreed to go on camera.
8:30 a.m.: The line outside the Ada County Courthouse began to form around 9 p.m. on Tuesday night. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.
4:30 a.m.: Community members waiting outside of Ada County Courthouse provide their thoughts on the impact of the hearing.
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