Lucy Devine
Prosecutors have reportedly sent a letter to the families of the victims murdered in the Idaho killings, explaining why suspect Bryan Kohberger was offered a plea deal.
On November 13 2022, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both aged 21, as well as 20-year-olds Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, were all found dead at their off-campus home in Idaho.
Kohberger was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in connection with their deaths and is set to go to trial next month.
However, the suspect is understood to have accepted a plea deal which would mean he'd serve four consecutive life sentences as well as a maximum penalty of 10 years for the burglary charge. Kohberger previously pleaded not guilty to charges of murder.
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This also means he would be spared the death penalty.
The deal was reportedly made just days after prosecutors met with the victims' families to discuss the plans.
Days later, they received an email with a letter attached from prosecutors, explaining why they had decided to offer the plea deal.
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As per the Idaho Statesman, it reads: "We cannot fathom the toll that this case has taken on your family.
"This resolution is our sincere attempt to seek justice for your family.
"This agreement ensures that the defendant will be convicted, will spend the rest of his life in prison, and will not be able to put you and the other families through the uncertainty of decades of post-conviction appeals.
"Your viewpoints weighed heavily in our decision-making process, and we hope that you may come to appreciate why we believe this resolution is in the best interest of justice."
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However, the families of the victims are said to be furious over the decision.
Gonclaves' family said in a statement: "They vaguely mentioned a possible plea on Friday, without seeking our input, and presented the plea on Sunday.
"Latah County should be ashamed of its Prosecutor’s Office. Four wonderful young people lost their lives, yet the victims’ families were treated as opponents from the outset. We weren’t even called about the plea; we received an email with a letter attached.
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"That’s how Latah County’s Prosecutor’s Office treats murder victims’ families. Adding insult to injury, they’re rushing the plea, giving families just one day to coordinate and appear at the courthouse for a plea on July 2."
They continued: "After more than two years, this is how it concludes with a secretive deal and a hurried effort to close the case without any input from the victims’ families on the plea’s details.
"Our family is frustrated right now and that will subside and we will come together as always and deal with the reality that we face moving forward."