Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison for murdering 4 University of Idaho students

A judge sentenced Bryan Kohberger to serve life in prison for the brutal stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students nearly three years ago.

No motive has been offered and Kohberger chose not to speak at the hearing.

The hearing gave the families of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Kaylee Goncalves the opportunity to describe the anguish they've felt since their loved ones were killed in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022. The victim impact statements lasted about two hours.


Sentence was in line with the plea deal Kohberger agreed to earlier this month Judge Hippler sentenced Kohberger to 10 years for burglary and four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, along with $270,000 in fines and civil penalties.

Judge Steven Hippler spoke next, reading from a statement and holding back tears Kohberger "senselessly slaughtered" the four victims, Hippler said.

Hippler credited law enforcement and "the killer's incompetence" for the court's ability to prosecute him.

"The world and this court unmasked this unfathomable and senseless act of evil has caused immeasurable pain and loss," Hippler said.

Kohberger declined to make a statement at the sentencing hearing "I respectfully decline," he said.

Wednesday's sentencing hearing will give the families of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Kaylee Goncalves the opportunity to describe the anguish they've felt since their loved ones were killed in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022.

Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania about six weeks after the killings. He initially stood silent when asked to enter a plea, so a judge entered a "not guilty" plea on his behalf.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson had sought death penalty. The court-defense team challenged the validity of the DNA evidence, unsuccessfully pushed to get theories about possible "alternate perpetrators" admitted in court, and repeatedly asked the judge to take the death penalty off of the table.

But those efforts largely failed, and the evidence against Kohberger was strong. With an August trial looming, Kohberger reached a plea deal.