Everything to expect during Bryan Kohberger's sentencing and how to watch it live
Topics: Bryan Kohberger, Donald Trump, Truth Social, US News, Crime
Ellie Kemp
Featured Image Credit: Kyle Green-Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Bryan Kohberger, Donald Trump, Truth Social, US News, Crime
Bryan Kohberger is to be sentenced today (July 23) for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students.
The former criminology student pleaded guilty to murdering Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both aged 21, as well as 20-year-olds Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle in the early hours of November 13, 2022.
All four students were stabbed multiple times after Kohberger broke into their rental property near the university's main campus.
Last month, he accepted a controversial plea deal, admitting to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary - charges he'd previously denied.
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By doing so, Kohberger has dodged a trial scheduled for August and, more significantly, the possibility of the death penalty.
The victims' families have been deeply divided by the move.
While Chapin's family are ultimately relieved that Kohberger is off the streets, for example, Goncalves' family have accused the Latah County Prosecutor’s Office of rushing and 'mishandling' the case.
Here is everything we can expect as sentencing gets underway at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho today.
Kohberger is set to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
He is being handed four consecutive life sentences without parole for the murders of Mogen, Goncalves, Kernodle and Chapin, as set out in his plea deal.
He'll also receive an additional 10 years for burglary.
As part of the plea deal, Kohberger will not be able to appeal his sentence and won't be allowed any leniency.
Kohberger's sentencing hearing will begin at 9am local time, however, he may not necessarily be sentenced today.
Judge Steven Hippler will hear impact statements from family members ahead of the sentencing, the court has said.
Kohberger has the opportunity to make a statement, though he is not required to do so - and it appears unlikely that he would do so.
The hearing is expected to last all day, with multiple breaks scheduled throughout what will be an incredibly tough day for the victims' loved ones.
The hearing could run into tomorrow (July 24) to give families the chance to read their statements in full.
So, the exact time Kohberger will be sentenced is not yet known.
It's likely the victims' families will never find out the motive behind Kohberger's senseless murders.
It's reported that his plea deal does not order him to reveal the motive of the killings of Mogen, Goncalves, Kernodle and Chapin.
Ahead of the hearing, Kohberger's attorney, Anne Taylor, told USA TODAY that his defense team 'will not make any comments or provide any information', even after the sentencing.
While Kohberger hasn't shared why he killed the four students, his signed confession does state that it was a 'premeditated' attack.
The day after the murders - before he was even considered a suspect - Kohberger suggested to a neighbor that the killings may have been 'a crime of passion'.
It comes as President Donald Trump called for the quadruple-murderer to explain himself ahead of today's sentencing.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump said, in part: "These were vicious murders, with so many questions left unanswered.
"...before Sentencing, I hope the Judge makes Kohberger, at a minimum, explain why he did these horrible murders. There are no explanations, there is no NOTHING."
He concluded: "People were shocked that he was able to plea bargain, but the Judge should make him explain what happened. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
You can watch a livestream of the sentencing from Idaho Fourth District Court's YouTube channel above, or via the link here.
News channels, including Fox 13, will also broadcast the sentencing.