Weeks after Idaho murderer Bryan Kohberger avoided the death penalty, President Donald Trump has weighed in and is calling for answers.
Kohberger agreed to a plea deal on July 2 that came as an abrupt shock to the families of four University of Idaho students he stabbed to death in their off-campus home in the small town of Moscow in 2022.
One family in particular was infuriated that they, and the rest of the world, may never know Kohberger’s motive and other details around the quadruple murder that shook the nation.
Trump on Monday finally addressed Kohberger’s plea bargain deal, which allowed him to avoid capital punishment.
‘These were vicious murders, with so many questions left unanswered,’ wrote Trump on his Truth Social platform.
The US president said that life imprisonment, which Kohberger will serve out, is ‘tough’ but ‘certainly better’ than getting the death penalty.
‘Before Sentencing, I hope the Judge makes Kohberger, at a minimum, explain why he did these horrible murders,’ Trump said.
‘There are no explanations, there is no NOTHING.
‘People were shocked that he was able to plea bargain, but the Judge should make him explain what happened. Thank you for your attention to this matter!’
Trump also referred to the victims – Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Ethan Chapin, 20 – as ‘four wonderful young souls’.
A judge has set aside the entire day on July 23 for Kohberger’s sentencing hearing. The former criminology PhD student at nearby Washington State University will be handed four consecutive life sentences and 10 years for burglary, per his plea deal.
Victims’ family members will have the opportunity to make statements on how his crimes have affected them. Judge Steven Hippler has said that Kohberger’s hearing could go into a second day if needed, to give families all the time they desire to express themselves.
Kohberger will be allowed to say something – but he is by no means required to.
His attorney, Anne Taylor, has already stated that his defense team won’t make any remarks or provide further information at or after the sentencing.
The families of victims have been divided on Kohberger’s plea deal, with Chapin’s parents satisfied.
But Goncalves’ loved ones have vocally opposed it. Kaylee’s father, Steve Goncalves, left the courtroom before Kohberger’s plea hearing began, saying he was ‘just getting out of this zoo’. The family wrote on Facebook that they were ‘beyond furious at the State of Idaho’ and that ‘they have failed us’.
Trump on the first day of his second term signed an executive order titled Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety and has pushed for expanding its use.
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