Bryan Kohberger Plea Deal Sparks Wave of Reaction Online

A wave of reactions blizted social media after reports that Bryan Kohberger, suspect in the killings of four Idaho college students, reached a plea deal weeks ahead of his expected jury trial.

Newsweek previously reached out to Kohberger’s attorney via email Monday for comment.

Why It Matters

The deadly stabbing attack on the University of Idaho students has remained in the national spotlight due to its brutality and age of the victims.

The unresolved legal process has gripped observers across the United States, resurfacing debates about the death penalty, victims’ rights and the responsibilities of prosecutors in high-profile cases.

Kohberger, 30, is charged in the November 13, 2022, killings of students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20, in their off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho.

NewsNation’s Brian Entin first broke the news of the plea deal on social media Monday evening.

What To Know

According to multiple national media outlets, Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to the four slayings in exchange for the death penalty being taken off the table and serving a life sentence.

As legal proceedings unfolded, there was a gag order that restricted involved parties from making statements amid the heightened media attention surrounding the case.

The Goncalves family reacted to the news Monday night on Facebook, writing, “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”

Legal analysts also reacted to the news, like former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “Whenever I did interviews on the Bryan Kohberger case, I would receive lots of comments from delusional Kohberger fans who insisted he was innocent. Where are they now? (On to the next conspiracy!)”

In a follow-up post, Aronberg reacted to the Goncalves family’s post, writing, “I hope the Idaho prosecutors have a good explanation, because you never want your victims’ families to feel like this.”

Legal analyst Phil Holloway also said on X, “The evidence against Kohberger is overwhelming. If they cut this deal without the blessing of the families of the victims, these prosecutors should be run out of town”

Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer, who followed the case closely, said she had “mixed feelings” about the reported deal.

“BREAKING Bryan Kohberger to Plead guilty! Many thought he might plead to avoid the firing squad. Mixed feelings. All I care about is justice for the #Idaho4. #BryanKohberger,” Coffindaffer posted.

What People Are Saying

Legal analyst and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, Neama Rahmani, to Newsweek via email on Monday: “The Kohberger plea is a huge win for Anne Taylor and the defense team. There was overwhelming evidence of his guilt, including his DNA on the knife sheath, cell site evidence the night of the murders, video surveillance of his white Hyundai Elantra, and Amazon search and purchase history of the murder weapon. There was no possibility of him being acquitted and the judge last week denying his lawyers the opportunity to put on evidence of the purported ‘real killers’ meant there was no real defense left in the case, aside from arguing autism or other mitigation at sentencing.”

Rahmani continued, “I don’t know whether the prosecution was concerned about convincing the jurors to return a death sentence, the mandatory state and federal appeals in capital cases, a potential violation of the gag order because of the Dateline episode, or something else in a sealed filing, but this was a complete 180 after two and a half years of litigation.”

“I credit the defense team, but I understand why the victims’ families would be very frustrated with this result,” Rahmani added. “They have a right to be notified and to be heard, but they cannot stop this plea from happening and Kohberger’s life will be spared, unless the feds step in and seek the death penalty like they did with Luigi Mangione and charge Kohberger because he crossed state lines or some other federal nexus.”

Entin, on X Monday: “My personal feeling is from the beginning Idaho has not wanted to deal with this case. From University of Idaho taking ownership of the house and tearing it down. To the initial judge passing the case on. To the gag order and constant annoyance with any attention the case gets.”

Podcast host Megyn Kelly, on X Monday: “KOHBERGER case in Idaho ending in a GUILTY plea – in exchange for no death penalty – Kaylee Goncalves family first to react saying they are ‘beyond furious’ with the State who has ‘failed us.’ They didn’t get the families to sign off??”

What Happens Next

According to Entin, a plea hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday.