Idaho murders – latest: Suspect Bryan Kohberger refuses to enter plea over quadruple student stabbings
Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger refused to enter a plea at his arraignment on four counts of first-degree murder and burglary.
The 28-year-old criminology PhD student’s arraignment was scheduled for 9am PT in Latah County Court in Moscow, Idaho.
Mr Kohberger was expected to enter a plea but instead his attorney Anne Taylor said that he was “standing silent” on the charges, leaving the judge to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf.
Mr Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, on 13 November in a horror attack that rocked the college town of Moscow and sent shockwaves across America.
The four victims were stabbed to death in an off-campus home that the three women shared with two surviving roommates.
Six weeks later, Mr Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania on 30 December.
Investigators say that Mr Kohberger’s DNA was found on a knife sheath left behind at the crime scene. A white Hyundai Elantra – matching his – was also captured on surveillance footage driving away from the area at the time of the murders.
Key points
Bryan Kohberger is arraigned on murder charges
Idaho murders refuses to enter plea, judge enters not guilty plea on behalf
Trial date set for October
Suspect accused of murdering four Idaho students on 13 November
Bryan Kohberger’s sister feared he was responsible for killings prior to arrest
Suspect allegedly broke into other student home and spied on woman before murders
Moment Idaho student murders suspect arrives in court for arraignment
10:00 , Andrea Blanco
Kaylee Goncalves’ father shares stark warning to alleged killer: ‘He’s gonna realize’
09:00 , Andrea Blanco
On Friday (19 May), Steve Goncalves told ABC News: “I can’t wait to see the evidence… And then I’m gonna bring it.”
“And he’s gonna realize that this... is the family that’s gonna make sure he doesn’t get away with it,” he added.
Kaylee’s mother Kristi Goncalves said the family had given a lot of thought as to whether there was any connection between their daughter and her alleged killer.
“We’ve talked as a family, you know, we’ve done a lot of research on what’s out there... None of it makes sense,” she told ABC News.
Describing her reaction when she saw Mr Kohberger for the first time at an initial court appearance, she said: “I was completely overwhelmed. I actually almost thought I was gonna pass out.”
“My daughter saw him face-to-face and in a very different light than we saw him, sitting there, looking very meek,” she said.
Four students stabbed to death, a weeks-long manhunt and still no motive
08:00 , Andrea Blanco
As the sole suspect in the stabbings of four Idaho students on murder charges heads to trial, The Independent’s Andrea Blanco, Rachel Sharp and Sheila Flynn report on the case in small-town Idaho that has shocked America:
What we know about the Idaho college murders as Bryan Kohberger faces arraignment
Bryan Kohberger allegedly broke into female student’s home and spied on her months before Idaho murders
07:00 , Andrea Blanco
Bryan Kohberger is believed to have broken into the home of a female student and then installed security cameras to spy on her in the months before he allegedly killed four other students in a horror attack in Moscow, Idaho.
The 28-year-old criminology PhD student had befriended the woman after he moved to Pullman, Washington state, to begin a graduate program in criminal justice at Washington State University (WSU), according to a source.
One day, the woman returned to her apartment and found that someone had broken in and moved items around the home – but that nothing was missing.
Since nothing was taken, the woman decided not to call the police but instead called her new friend Mr Kohberger and asked him to come over.
Mr Kohberger allegedly offered to install a video security system inside her home and the woman agreed.
What comes after Bryan Kohberger’s not-guilty plea?
06:00 , Andrea Blanco
A preliminary hearing, where prosecutors had to show a judge that there is enough evidence to justify moving forward with charges of burglary and four counts of murder, was previously scheduled for 26 June.
However, on 16 May, a grand jury indicted Mr Kohberger on the same charges, effectively rerouting the case directly to the state’s felony court level and allowing prosecutors to skip the preliminary hearing process, the Associated Press reported.
The former Washington State University PhD student is now expected to appear for his arraignment at the Latah County District Court at 9am on Monday to enter a plea. According to the indictment, Mr Kohberger is charged with four counts of murder in the first degree and one count of burglary.
Each murder count states that he “did wilfully, unlawfully, deliberately, with premeditation and with malice aforethought, kill and murder” each of the victims by stabbing.
The list of witnesses who testified before the grand jury is sealed. Mr Kohberger’s indictment means that the jurors empanelled on the grand jury believed there was enough evidence against him for the case to proceed to trial.
Mr Kohberger said through a public defender earlier this year that he “was eager to be exonerated.”
He is being represented by Ann Taylor, one of thirteen public defence attorneys in the state who can work in cases where the prosecution requests capital punishment. Prosecutors in the Idaho murders case have not publicly addressed whether they plan to make that request
A tentative trial date has been set for 2 October.
WATCH: Father of Idaho murder victim Kaylee Goncalves confirms he has spoken with survivor
05:00 , Andrea Blanco
Victim’s family ‘disappointed’ gag order has not been addressed
04:00 , Andrea Blanco
The Goncalves’ attorney Shannon Gray issues a statement on behalf of the family to local news station KREM2:
“The family would like to thank everyone for continuing to follow this case and keep the memories of Kaylee, Maddie, Xana and Ethan alive.
“They are what is important not the Defendant. We are thankful that the Latah County District Attorneys Office finally took the case to a GJ and came back with an indictment.
“At the same time we are disappointed that the judicial process has not been more efficient in addressing the Gag order. This is just the beginning of a long journey for all the families and we are thankful for your continued support and coverage.”
What comes next?
03:00 , Andrea Blanco
Mr Kohberger said through a public defender earlier this year that he “was eager to be exonerated.”
He is being represented by Ann Taylor, one of thirteen public defence attorneys in the state who can work in cases where the prosecution requests capital punishment.
Prosecutors in the Idaho murders case have not publicly addressed whether they plan to make that request
A tentative trial date has been set for 2 October.
Meanwhile, a court hearing has been scheduled for 9 June to discuss the current gag order in the case and whether cameras will be allowed during trial proceedings.
Who is the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students?
02:00 , Andrea Blanco
At the time of the murders, Mr Kohberger was studying for his PhD and working as a teaching assistant in criminal justice at WSU.
Prior to this, Mr Kohberger studied criminology at DeSales University first as an undergraduate and then finishing his graduate studies in June 2022.
According to online school records, Mr Kohberger received an associate arts degree in 2018 from Northampton Community College in Albrightsville and received a masters degree in criminal justice this year from DeSales University.
While studying at DeSales, he studied under renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland who interviewed the BTK serial killer and co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with him.
He was working part-time as a security guard until August 2021 at Pleasant Valley School District, where his mother was listed as a paraprofessional.
The alleged murderer carried out a research project “to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime”.
Mr Kohberger reached out to potential participants on Reddit, with the chilling survey resurfacing after his arrest.
“In particular, this study seeks to understand the story behind your most recent criminal offense, with an emphasis on your thoughts and feelings throughout your experience,” the post said.
His fascination appears to have continued around the time of the murders when he applied for an internship with the local police department.
The affidavit revealed that he applied for an internship in the fall of 2022 with the Pullman Police Department and wrote in an essay how he had an interest “in assisting rural law enforcement agencies with how to better collect and analyze technological data in public safety operations”.
There was a glaring mistake at the Idaho murders hearing
01:00 , Andrea Blanco
The grieving family of slain University of Idaho Kaylee Goncalves has complained to the court after the judge presiding over their daughter’s murder case mispronounced her name.
Bryan Kohberger, accused of the 13 November stabbings of Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, appeared in Latah County Court in Moscow to enter a plea on Monday (22 May).
During the brief hearing, Judge John Judge informed Mr Kohberger of his rights, the charges against him and the penalties – including the death penalty – if he is convicted.
But while reading out the charges, the judge mispronounced two of the victims’ names. First, he appeared to call Goncalves “Kayla” and then struggled to pronounce Kernodle’s first name, ultimately saying “Zana.”
“This is hard, I’m sorry,” the judge told the court.
According to reporters present during the hearing, Goncalves’ sister Alivea Goncalves was seen shaking her head in disapproval. Ms Goncalves later complained to the victim assistance coordinator, COURTV reported.
Bryan Kohberger bought Ka-Bar knife from Amazon months before deadly stabbings of Idaho students
Wednesday 24 May 2023 00:00 , Andrea Blanco
Bryan Kohberger bought a Ka-Bar knife and knife sheath from Amazon seven months before he allegedly stabbed four University of Idaho students to death in a brutal attack that sent shockwaves across America, it has been revealed.
NBC’s Dateline special “The Killings on King Road” reported that the 28-year-old accused killer shopped online for the military-style knife in April 2022.
On 13 November, he allegedly used either that knife or a similar one to stab Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20, to death in an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.
Investigators tied Mr Kohberger to the murders after the killer left a Ka-Bar knife sheath behind at the scene next to Mogen’s body.
DNA found on the sheath matched that of the 28-year-old PhD student, according to the criminal affidavit.
The murder weapon itself has never been found.
WATCH: Father of Idaho murder victim Kaylee Goncalves confirms he has spoken with survivor
Tuesday 23 May 2023 23:00 , Andrea Blanco
Accused Idaho college killer Bryan Kohberger’s belongings test positive for blood
Tuesday 23 May 2023 22:30 , Andrea Blanco
At least two items seized from the home of accused killer Bryan Kohberger tested positive for blood, it has been revealed.
Court documents, released by Washington authorities on Thursday, show that multiple items taken from the 28-year-old Washington State University criminology PhD student’s apartment in Pullman had been tested for the presence of blood.
While most items came back negative, two items were positive.
Those items were a mattress cover on the bed and an uncased pillow, both of which were described as having visible “reddish brown stains”. The documents do not reveal who the blood belongs to.
The items were all seized when police executed a search warrant at Mr Kohberger’s address on 30 December – the day that he was arrested for the murders of University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.
Timeline of the Idaho college murders
Tuesday 23 May 2023 22:00 , Andrea Blanco
Bryan Kohberger has refused to enter a plea on four murder charges, prompting the judge to make one on his behalf and effectively moving the case to trial.
The Independent’s Io Dodds reports:
Four students stabbed to death, a weeks-long manhunt and still no motive
Tuesday 23 May 2023 21:30 , Andrea Blanco
As the sole suspect in the stabbings of four Idaho students on murder charges heads to trial, The Independent’s Andrea Blanco, Rachel Sharp and Sheila Flynn report on the case in small-town Idaho that has shocked America:
What we know about the Idaho college murders as Bryan Kohberger faces arraignment
Did Bryan Kohberger break into female student’s home?
Tuesday 23 May 2023 21:00 , Andrea Blanco
Bryan Kohberger is believed to have broken into the home of a female student and then installed security cameras to spy on her in the months before he allegedly killed four other students in a horror attack in Moscow, Idaho.
The 28-year-old criminology PhD student had befriended the woman after he moved to Pullman, Washington state, to begin a graduate program in criminal justice at Washington State University (WSU), according to a source.
One day, the woman returned to her apartment and found that someone had broken in and moved items around the home – but that nothing was missing.
Since nothing was taken, the woman decided not to call the police but instead called her new friend Mr Kohberger and asked him to come over.
Mr Kohberger allegedly offered to install a video security system inside her home and the woman agreed.
Bryan Kohberger bought Ka-Bar knife from Amazon months before murders
Tuesday 23 May 2023 20:30 , Andrea Blanco
Bryan Kohberger bought a Ka-Bar knife and knife sheath from Amazon seven months before he allegedly stabbed four University of Idaho students to death in a brutal knife attack that sent shockwaves across America, it has been revealed.
NBC’s Dateline special “The Killings on King Road” reported that the 28-year-old accused killer shopped online for the military-style knife in April 2022.
At the time, he was still studying for his masters degree in criminology at DeSales University in Pennsylvania.
What comes after Bryan Kohberger’s not-guilty plea?
Tuesday 23 May 2023 20:00 , Andrea Blanco
A preliminary hearing, where prosecutors had to show a judge that there is enough evidence to justify moving forward with charges of burglary and four counts of murder, was previously scheduled for 26 June.
However, on 16 May, a grand jury indicted Mr Kohberger on the same charges, effectively rerouting the case directly to the state’s felony court level and allowing prosecutors to skip the preliminary hearing process, the Associated Press reported.
The former Washington State University PhD student is now expected to appear for his arraignment at the Latah County District Court at 9am on Monday to enter a plea. According to the indictment, Mr Kohberger is charged with four counts of murder in the first degree and one count of burglary.
Each murder count states that he “did wilfully, unlawfully, deliberately, with premeditation and with malice aforethought, kill and murder” each of the victims by stabbing.
The list of witnesses who testified before the grand jury is sealed. Mr Kohberger’s indictment means that the jurors empanelled on the grand jury believed there was enough evidence against him for the case to proceed to trial.
Mr Kohberger said through a public defender earlier this year that he “was eager to be exonerated.”
He is being represented by Ann Taylor, one of thirteen public defence attorneys in the state who can work in cases where the prosecution requests capital punishment. Prosecutors in the Idaho murders case have not publicly addressed whether they plan to make that request
A tentative trial date has been set for 2 October.
Kaylee Goncalves’ father thanks roommates who survived Idaho murders for helping in Bryan Kohberger case
Tuesday 23 May 2023 19:30 , Andrea Blanco
The father of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves has expressed his support for the young women who survived the attack in which his daughter was killed.
Dylan Mortensen and Brittany Funke were inside their off-campus home in Moscow when roommates Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kernodle’s boyfriend Ethan Chapin were stabbed to death in the early morning hours of 13 November.
According to an affidavit released earlier this year, Ms Mortensen told investigators that on the night of the murders, she saw “a figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the person’s mouth and nose walking towards her”.
Ms Mortensen and Ms Funke faced online harassment as speculation grew and questions were raised over the eight hours that passed between the attack and the time police were called. They were never considered suspects and authorities have described them as survivors since the early stages of the probe.
In an interview with NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield aired on Wednesday, Goncalves’ father Steve Goncalves thanked Ms Funke and Ms Mortensen for their cooperation with the investigation, which he called critical to build a strong case against suspect Bryan Kohberger.
“They’re going through a lot; I appreciate what they’ve done for the case and all the information that they’ve provided,” Mr Goncalves said. “I wish they wouldn’t have to go through it but it’s critical, it’s absolutely going to make the case so I commend them for their courage and to go through this and to know I can’t fix it for them.”
Bryan Kohberger ‘stands silent’ and refuses to enter plea in murders of four Idaho college students
Tuesday 23 May 2023 19:00 , Andrea Blanco
The 28-year-old criminology PhD student appeared in Latah County Court in Moscow, Idaho, on Monday morning for his arraignment on four counts of first-degree murder and burglary.
Rachel Sharp reports:
Bryan Kohberger ‘stands silent’ and refuses to enter plea in Idaho college murders
There was a glaring mistake at the Idaho murders hearing
Tuesday 23 May 2023 18:30 , Andrea Blanco
The grieving family of slain University of Idaho Kaylee Goncalves has complained to the court after the judge presiding over their daughter’s murder case mispronounced her name.
The Independent has more:
There was a glaring mistake at the Idaho murders hearing
WATCH: Father of Idaho murder victim Kaylee Goncalves confirms he has spoken with survivor
Tuesday 23 May 2023 18:00 , Andrea Blanco
Kaylee Goncalves’ family issues statement
Tuesday 23 May 2023 17:30 , Andrea Blanco
The Goncalves’ attorney Shannon Gray issues a statement on behalf of the family to local news station KREM2:
“The family would like to thank everyone for continuing to follow this case and keep the memories of Kaylee, Maddie, Xana and Ethan alive.
“They are what is important not the Defendant. We are thankful that the Latah County District Attorneys Office finally took the case to a GJ and came back with an indictment.
“At the same time we are disappointed that the judicial process has not been more efficient in addressing the Gag order. This is just the beginning of a long journey for all the families and we are thankful for your continued support and coverage.”
WATCH: Idaho student murders suspect stands silent after hearing charges during arraignment
Tuesday 23 May 2023 17:00 , Andrea Blanco
Bryan Kohberger refuses to enter plea, judge enters one on his behalf
Tuesday 23 May 2023 16:30 , Andrea Blanco
WATCH: Moment Idaho student murders suspect arrives in court for arraignment
Tuesday 23 May 2023 15:47 , Andrea Blanco
What comes next?
Tuesday 23 May 2023 15:21 , Andrea Blanco
Mr Kohberger said through a public defender earlier this year that he “was eager to be exonerated.”
He is being represented by Ann Taylor, one of thirteen public defence attorneys in the state who can work in cases where the prosecution requests capital punishment.
Prosecutors in the Idaho murders case have not publicly addressed whether they plan to make that request
A tentative trial date has been set for 2 October.
Meanwhile, a court hearing has been scheduled for 9 June to discuss the current gag order in the case and whether cameras will be allowed during trial proceedings.
Victim’s family working with prosecutors to request death penalty
Tuesday 23 May 2023 15:10 , Andrea Blanco
According to NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin, the family of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves is working alongside prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Bryan Kohberger if he is convicted.
“You just can’t hunt babies down. That’s just too much,” Steve Goncalves, Kaylee’s dad, told the network.
The prosecution has 60 days to submit a request for capital punishment in the trial, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in October.
Steve Goncalves says they are working with members of the government in Idaho concerning seeking the death penalty in the Kohberger case.
“You just can’t hunt babies down. That’s just too much.”— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) May 23, 2023
Who is Bryan Kohberger?
Tuesday 23 May 2023 14:32 , Andrea Blanco
Speculation and rumour have swirled in the months following Bryan Kohberger’s arrest, as conspiracists and armchair detectives paint all manner of pictures of the accused killer.
But who really is the former PhD student?
The Independent’s Sheila Flynn reports:
Bryan Kohberger ‘stands silent’ and refuses to enter plea in murders of four Idaho college students
Tuesday 23 May 2023 14:00 , Andrea Blanco
The 28-year-old criminology PhD student appeared in Latah County Court in Moscow, Idaho, on Monday morning for his arraignment on four counts of first-degree murder and burglary.
Rachel Sharp reprots:
Bryan Kohberger ‘stands silent’ and refuses to enter plea in Idaho college murders
What comes after Bryan Kohberger’s not-guilty plea?
Tuesday 23 May 2023 13:30 , Andrea Blanco
A preliminary hearing, where prosecutors had to show a judge that there is enough evidence to justify moving forward with charges of burglary and four counts of murder, was previously scheduled for 26 June.
However, on 16 May, a grand jury indicted Mr Kohberger on the same charges, effectively rerouting the case directly to the state’s felony court level and allowing prosecutors to skip the preliminary hearing process, the Associated Press reported.
The former Washington State University PhD student is now expected to appear for his arraignment at the Latah County District Court at 9am on Monday to enter a plea. According to the indictment, Mr Kohberger is charged with four counts of murder in the first degree and one count of burglary.
Each murder count states that he “did wilfully, unlawfully, deliberately, with premeditation and with malice aforethought, kill and murder” each of the victims by stabbing.
The list of witnesses who testified before the grand jury is sealed. Mr Kohberger’s indictment means that the jurors empanelled on the grand jury believed there was enough evidence against him for the case to proceed to trial.
Mr Kohberger said through a public defender earlier this year that he “was eager to be exonerated.”
He is being represented by Ann Taylor, one of thirteen public defence attorneys in the state who can work in cases where the prosecution requests capital punishment. Prosecutors in the Idaho murders case have not publicly addressed whether they plan to make that request
A tentative trial date has been set for 2 October.
Who is Bryan Kohberger?
Tuesday 23 May 2023 13:00 , Andrea Blanco
Speculation and rumour have swirled in the months following Bryan Kohberger’s arrest, as conspiracists and armchair detectives paint all manner of pictures of the accused killer.
But who really is the former PhD student?
The Independent’s Sheila Flynn reports:
Bryan Kohberger allegedly broke into female student’s home and spied on her months before Idaho murders
Tuesday 23 May 2023 12:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Bryan Kohberger is believed to have broken into the home of a female student and then installed security cameras to spy on her in the months before he allegedly killed four other students in a horror attack in Moscow, Idaho.
The 28-year-old criminology PhD student had befriended the woman after he moved to Pullman, Washington state, to begin a graduate program in criminal justice at Washington State University (WSU), according to a source.
One day, the woman returned to her apartment and found that someone had broken in and moved items around the home – but that nothing was missing.
Since nothing was taken, the woman decided not to call the police but instead called her new friend Mr Kohberger and asked him to come over.
Mr Kohberger allegedly offered to install a video security system inside her home and the woman agreed.
