‘Evil has many faces’: Victims’ families speak at Kohberger sentencing, police release documents

A judge ordered Bryan Kohberger to serve four life sentences without parole for the brutal stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students nearly three years ago, The Associated Press (AP) reported Wednesday. Kohberger was also given a 10-year sentence for burglary and $270,000 in fines and civil penalties.

Police also released documents providing details about the investigation into the murders, including police interviews and a description of the scene when officers discovered the victims.

Family and friends’ statements from Kohberger’s sentencing

Friends and families of the victims spoke in court on Wednesday, including Dylan Mortensen, one of the surviving roommates inside the Idaho rental house where the murders took place.

“What happened that night changed everything, because of him, four beautiful, genuine, compassionate people were taken from this world for no reason,” Mortensen said. “He didn’t just take their lives; he took the light they carried into every room, how they made everyone feel safe, loved, and full of joy. He took away the ability for me to tell them I love them and that I am so proud of them.”

Madison Mogen’s stepfather, Scott Laramie, was reading to the court on behalf of Karen Laramie, Mogen’s mother, and himself.

“Society needs to be protected against this evil. As for the defendant, we will not waste words, nor will we fall into hatred and bitterness. Evil has many faces, and we now know this, but evil does not deserve our time and attention,” Laramie said. “We are done being victims. We are taking back our lives. Adversity and evil will visit us, but we will overcome. We can and will endure.”

Jazzmin Kernodle delivered a statement honoring the four victims of the attacks, including her younger sister, Xana.

“In the end, I realized this moment isn’t about you; it’s about justice for Xana, Ethan, Kaylee, and Maddie,” Jazzmin said. “On November 13, 2022, a piece of my heart was ripped away. There’s no way to ever fully describe the weight of losing my sister, and my best friend. Xana was everyone’s best friend. She was kind, funny, and a gift to each person she was able to make an impact on. Xana was someone I turned to when I needed direction or advice. Although I am her older sister, I often found myself looking up to her.”

However, when it was Kohberger’s turn to speak, he declined, The AP reported.

Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison

Three weeks ago, Kohberger pleaded guilty to murdering four students, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, at a rental house on campus. Chapin’s family is from Western Washington.

In Kohberger’s plea bargain deal, he waived his right to appeal.

Family and friends of the four victims will finally get their chance to tell the court how much pain Kohberger has caused, including the Goncalves family. Their daughter, Kaylee, was one of the four killed in the Idaho murders.

Steve Goncalves, Kaylee’s father, wanted the death penalty for Kohberger and criticized prosecutors for agreeing to a plea deal without consulting with the families.

“They decided to play God and decide what this man’s decision should be,” Gonclaves said. “Not a jury of his peers.”

People have been camping outside the courthouse in Boise for the chance to get a seat inside and a view of the justice being served to Kohberger.

Kohberger will appear in his prison jumpsuit Wednesday, not in a dress shirt and tie. There is a chance that Kohberger could speak in court during his sentencing and give an idea of his motive behind the murders.

“He’s obviously a deeply disturbed individual. It’s hard to predict how people like that will behave,” Former State Attorney General Rob McKenna said. “I certainly hope he says something to express contrition or regret, but he’s a terrible person who murdered four young people. I don’t know if that can be expected.”

Kohberger’s motive and many other details are unknown, as of this reporting. If investigators know why Kohberger did it, they haven’t said so publicly, nor is it clear why he spared two roommates who were home at the time.

Cellphone location data revealed Kohberger had been in the neighborhood multiple times before the attack.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said that Kohberger used his knowledge about forensic investigations to attempt to cover his tracks by deep cleaning his vehicle after the crime. Police discovered Kohberger bought a military-style knife as well as the knife sheath found at the home through his Amazon purchase history. The knife itself was never found.

There’s also a motion before the judge to extend a no-contact order between Kohberger and the families for 99 years.

Kohberger will likely serve his full sentence at the maximum security institution in Kuna, Idaho’s only maximum-security prison.

Scholarships and other initiatives sprout from the tragic deaths

Friends and family members have sought to commemorate the victims’ lives by raising money for scholarships and other initiatives, according to The AP.

Ethan’s Smile Foundation, started by Chapin’s family, honors his “love of life, people, and new adventures by providing scholarships that enable others to follow their dreams,” according to its website.

The Made With Kindness Foundation honors the legacy of Mogen, Goncalves, and Kernodle through scholarships, wellness support, and empowerment initiatives.

“Our mission is to inspire and uplift the next generation, turning their dreams into realities in a world that values compassion and community,” its website stated.

The University of Idaho built the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial in memory of all students who passed away while enrolled at the school.

Kohberger’s court appearance can be seen here.

Contributing: KIRO Newsradio; The Associated Press; Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

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