Bryan Kohberger due in court today to plead guilty in Idaho college killings, sparing him death penalty

Bryan Kohberger Scheduled for Guilty Plea in Moscow, Idaho Quadruple Homicide Case

Bryan Kohberger, the former criminology Ph.D. student accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022, is expected to appear in an Idaho courtroom today to plead guilty to all charges. The move will reportedly allow Kohberger to avoid the death penalty in one of the most closely watched criminal cases in recent American history.

Background: The Moscow, Idaho Murders

The case stems from the early morning hours of November 13, 2022, when four students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were found stabbed to death in an off-campus house near the University of Idaho in Moscow. The brutal slayings shocked the nation, prompting a weeks-long manhunt that culminated in Kohberger’s arrest in Pennsylvania in December 2022.

Plea Deal Details

According to court documents and sources close to the prosecution, Kohberger is expected to enter a guilty plea to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary at today’s hearing in Latah County District Court. In exchange, prosecutors have agreed to remove the death penalty from consideration, instead recommending four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

• Date of hearing: July 2, 2025
• Location: Latah County Courthouse, Moscow, Idaho
• Expected outcome: Guilty plea entered, death penalty off the table

Impact and Reaction

The anticipated guilty plea comes after nearly three years of legal proceedings, during which Kohberger’s defense team filed multiple motions challenging the evidence and the prosecution’s intent to seek the death penalty. The victims’ families have expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming the closure a guilty plea may bring, and others voicing disappointment that Kohberger will not face capital punishment.

Law enforcement sources indicate that the plea agreement was reached after extensive discussions between the prosecution, defense, and the victims’ families, weighing the emotional toll of a lengthy capital trial.

Next Steps

Following today's court appearance, Kohberger is expected to be transferred to the Idaho Department of Correction to begin serving his sentence. The case has spurred renewed debate over campus safety, the death penalty, and the use of forensic evidence in high-profile investigations.

The University of Idaho community and the city of Moscow continue to heal from the tragedy, with multiple memorials and support services established in honor of the victims.