Bryan Kohberger entered a guilty plea today to charges of first-degree murder for the deaths of four University of Idaho students in November 2022. The plea was made in the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, where Kohberger admitted to the stabbing deaths of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

The incidents occurred in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, inside a rental home near the university campus. Judge Steven Hippler accepted Kohberger’s pleas, with sentencing scheduled for July 23. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, the death penalty is off the table, and Kohberger will serve four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole or appeals.

The families of the victims have expressed differing opinions on the plea agreement; the Goncalves family has publicly opposed it, while Mogen’s father expressed relief. The Chapin family has voiced support for the deal.

During the hearing, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson outlined the evidence against Kohberger, displaying a rare emotional response. The victims’ families are permitted to testify at the upcoming sentencing, which will last one day. A gag order remains in effect, preventing discussions about the case outside the courtroom until after sentencing. The trial proceedings were moved from Moscow to Boise following a change of venue request approved by a now-retired judge.