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President Donald Trump waded into the “vicious” Idaho student murders case Monday with a post on Truth Social about Bryan Kohberger’s upcoming sentencing, saying he hopes the judge requires some kind of explanation at Wednesday’s hearing for the slayings of “four wonderful young souls.”
When Kohberger pleaded guilty earlier this month, he gave no motive or explanation while admitting to the home invasion stabbing deaths of four college students.
“While Life Imprisonment is tough, it’s certainly better than receiving the Death Penalty but, before Sentencing, I hope the Judge makes Kohberger, at a minimum, explain why he did these horrible murders,” Trump wrote. “There are no explanations, there is no NOTHING.”
Trump echoed public surprise about the unexpected plea deal, which spares Kohberger from the potential death penalty in exchange for admitting to the crimes. He is expected to receive four consecutive terms of life imprisonment with no chance of parole, plus another 10 years, and has waived his right to appeal and to seek a sentence reduction.
BRYAN KOHBERGER PLEADS GUILTY TO IDAHO MURDERS
Critics have questioned why the deal didn’t require him to explain himself. And the appeal waiver does not mean he won’t have any chance to appeal, according to Judge Steven Hippler, who cited a Supreme Court case, Garza v. Idaho, that found defendants who waive their rights to appeal may still have a right to appeal.
“People were shocked that he was able to plea bargain, but the Judge should make him explain what happened,” Trump added. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Kohberger pleaded guilty to all charges on July 2, about two months before he would have gone to trial in Boise, Idaho.
At the hearing, he admitted to sneaking into the off-campus home at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, and killing four University of Idaho students inside, some of whom were asleep.
IDAHO MURDERS TIMELINE: BRYAN KOHBERGER PLEA CAPS YEARSLONG QUEST FOR JUSTICE
The victims were 21-year-olds Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, as well as 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
They were all killed around 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022. Kohberger was studying for a Ph.D. in criminology at Washington State University, about 10 miles away over the state line.
He could have faced capital punishment, and Idaho had recently taken steps to bring back the firing squad as a result of difficulties with lethal injection as a viable option.
The victims’ families were split over the plea deal, with some welcoming a chance to move past the murders. Goncalves’ family, notably, had been hoping for the most severe punishment and pleaded with the judge to at least require an explanation before accepting the deal.
According to court documents, DNA from a knife sheath left at the crime scene matched Kohberger’s, and cellphone data placed him near the victims’ house multiple times before the killings. Surveillance footage also captured a white Hyundai Elantra in the area.
Kohberger’s official sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday morning.
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