Bryan Kohberger plea deal means he wont have to explain why he slaughtered 4 Idaho college students in their sleep
Bryan Kohberger likely will not have to explain why he slaughtered four University of Idaho students when he enters a guilty plea — leaving the victims’ families with unanswered questions.Koherberger reached a shocking deal with prosecutors Tuesday –- just weeks ahead of the highly anticipated quadruple homicide trial.The plea will spare him from the possibility of death by firing squad, but will see him spend the rest of his life in prison.A hearing has been scheduled in his case for 11 a.m.
Wednesday, and one local expert says he’ll likely plead guilty then.The former PhD criminology student will have to admit to his crimes, but likely won’t explain his motive, Idaho defense attorney Edwina Elcox told The Post.He will have to establish the elements of the crime like the dates and locations, and acknowledge that he committed the killings.But “he wouldn’t have to say why he did it — just that he did it,” Elcox explained.She added: “There is no requirement that he says why for a plea.”Two and a half years after the Nov.13, 2022 murders in Moscow, Idaho, there is still no clear explanation for why the four students were hacked to death with a military-style Ka-Bar knife.A trial — with troves of evidence introduced and argued over — may have brought the families closer to understanding the reason behind the murders of Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, Ethan Chapin, 20 and Madison Mogen, 21.Kohberger had been attending Washington State University in Pullman, Washington roughly 10 miles from the victims’ school.
A knife sheath with Kohberger’s DNA allegedly on it was found near Mogen’s body.The Goncalves’ family said they “are beyond furious at the State of Idaho” for agreeing to the deal.“They have failed us.”Elcox said prosecutors wouldn’t have made the deal lightly, knowing the impact it would have on the victims’ families.Still, she explained there are other benefits of Kohberger taking a plea deal, such as ensuring ...