Bryan Kohberger accepts plea deal in Idaho college murders case

(NewsNation) — NewsNation has learned a plea deal has been offered to Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, and he has accepted.

Sources confirm the prosecution has proposed dropping the death penalty in exchange for Kohberger pleading guilty to committing the murders and to a burglary charge.

NewsNation has learned Kohberger must also agree to spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole and must waive his right to appeal.

A court hearing for a change of plea will be Wednesday.

Kohberger, 30, a former graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University, faces murder charges for the deaths of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin, who were killed at an off-campus house near the University of Idaho on Nov. 13, 2022. He had pleaded not guilty.

Kaylee Goncalves family 'beyond furious' at Bryan Kohberger plea deal

In a statement on social media, the family of Goncalves said, "It's true! We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us. Please give us some time. This was very unexpected. We appreciate all your love and support. #heartbroken #kayleejade4ever"

A family member of one victim told NewsNation that upon hearing of the plea deal, she felt like "all the power had been given back to Kohberger."

Many families of the victims had planned on living in Boise, Idaho, for the duration of the trial.

Family members tell NewsNation they had no indication of a plea deal being offered and say they are shocked and have more questions, including whether Kohberger will confess to the killings.

The Goncalves family released another statement clarifying the timeline of plea negotiations, saying they gave prosecutors a "HARD NO" when asked about a possible plea deal Friday. The family said they received an email Sunday night that sent them into "panic mode" and met with prosecutors again Monday to oppose the agreement.

"We fought harder then anyone could EVER imagine," the family wrote. "We fought a long battle, but we lost the war."

I would like to clarify a couple of things...we DID talk to the prosecution on Friday about the POSSIBILITY of a plea deal and it was a HARD NO from our family. It was very nonchalant and barely discussed as the majority of the conversation was surrounding the upcoming trial. NOTHING in our conversation prepared us for the next steps. Sunday night we received an email that sent us scrambling. We immediately jumped into panic mode and started making phone calls and sending emails. We met with prosecution AGAIN today to reiterate our views on pushing for the death penalty. Unfortunately all of our efforts did not matter. We DID OUR BEST! We fought harder then anyone could EVER imagine. Please do not argue or try to tell us that we should have done this or that. We gave it 200% for the last 2 years and 7 months. One day we will tell you all what we have really been through from day one. You will all be shocked. We fought a long battle, but we lost the war. We did gain an army of love that we know will always stand by us! We have so much love for each and every one of you. You all gave us strength when we felt like we couldn't take another step, called us off the ledge when we were ready to wave the white flag, and most importantly prayed for us when we were in utter despair and hopeless. So much LOVE to ALL of you

The Goncalves Family Page

Kohberger case: Prosecutors outline why plea deal should move ahead

In explanations provided to families, prosecutors said that while they felt "very confident about the strength of the state's case," every trial carries inherent risks including mistrials and hung juries that could force families to endure the process again.

The prosecution team argued that a monthlong jury trial would impose "an emotional, mental, financial and physical toll on the families, friends, roommates of the victims, without any certainty of an outcome." They said the plea deal would provide "some measure of finality" through Kohberger's admission of guilt.

Prosecutors also cited concerns about conspiracy theorists and defendant supporters, stating they hoped such individuals would "turn their attention to other matters if the defendant takes responsibility and admits to his heinous crimes by pleading guilty."

Additionally, they warned that death penalty cases can drag on for decades through appeals, with some Idaho death row inmates remaining there for 30 to 40 years.

According to a letter sent to victims' families, prosecutors said Kohberger's defense team approached them last week requesting an offer. After meeting with available family members, prosecutors "weighed the right path forward and made a formal offer."

"This resolution is our sincere attempt to seek justice for your family," prosecutors wrote, adding that the agreement ensures Kohberger "will be convicted, will spend the rest of his life in prison, and will not be able to put you and the other families through the uncertainty of decades of post-conviction appeals."

Bryan Kohberger faces 4 murder charges connected to the killings

The students were found with fatal stab wounds in an off-campus rental home in the early morning hours.

Investigators believe the four students, thought to be sleeping at the time, were fatally stabbed between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. According to the coroner, there was no sign of sexual assault.

A little over a month after the killings, Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania on Dec. 30, 2022, and extradited to Idaho.

Court records showed that investigators identified Kohberger as the suspect through a combination of DNA evidence at the scene, cellphone records and the suspect’s white Hyundai Elantra.

A judge had granted a venue change for the murder trial from the small town of Moscow, Idaho, arguing the small local jury pool was likely tainted by pretrial publicity, after a request from Kohberger's attorneys.

Latah County Judge John Judge also agreed with Kohberger’s lawyer on the massive publicity of the case making it difficult to find impartial jurors in Latah County. 

A trial date was initially set for October 2023, but after Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, it was pushed back until the summer of 2025.

Kohberger's attorneys had tried to delay the trial, citing 68 terabytes of evidence to review.

The trial was scheduled to begin in August, with opening arguments expected Aug. 18.