Bryan Kohberger sentencing: What to expect as Idaho murderer learns his fate

Daily Mail​

23-07-2025

will be sentenced today for the murders of four University of Idaho students in a case that sent shockwaves across the nation.
The 30-year-old killer - who spent years studying criminology - will appear in Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, where he will be forced to face the families and friends of his victims, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
Whether those families will get any answers about why he did it or how he came to target the home on King Road in Moscow remains to be seen.
Kohberger pleaded guilty to the quadruple murder earlier this month in a deal to avoid the death penalty. He will have an opportunity to speak at the sentencing - as will the loved ones of his victims.
Here's what to expect at the killer's sentencing today.
THE LOGISTICS
The sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin at 9am MT on July 23 in Ada County Courthouse and is expected to last the full day.
Judge Steven Hippler has also set aside Thursday should it run into a second day.
Public seating in the courtroom is first-come, first-served. The hearing will also be livestreamed.
Unlike other court hearings where Kohberger has been allowed to wear his own clothes, he will be forced to appear in court in prison garb.
VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS
During the sentencing, the families and friends of the victims will be given the opportunity to confront the man who slaughtered their loved ones when they deliver victim impact statements to the court.
Many have already revealed their plans to do so, including members of the Goncalves family and Kernodle's mom Cara Northington.
Chapin's parents have said the family will not attend the hearing, instead planning to do something together in their son's memory.
As well as the families, the two surviving roommates Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke and other friends of the victims will also have the chance to speak publicly for the first time.
Those who do want to address the court can speak in-person themselves or have a representative read out a statement on their behalf.
WILL BRYAN KOHBERGER SPEAK?
Before the judge hands down his sentence, Kohberger will also be given the opportunity to speak to the court - giving him one final opportunity to reveal why he decided to commit his heinous crime.
After pleading guilty, a defendant is given a formal opportunity - called an allocution - to address the court to express remorse, accept responsibility and explain any mitigating circumstances they want the judge to consider in deciding their sentence.
It is unclear if Kohberger plans to take that opportunity.
There is no legal obligation for him to speak to the court or to explain his motive.
Some of the victims' families have voiced their frustration that this was not a requirement of his plea deal.
President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the matter, taking to Truth Social Monday to urge the judge to force Kohberger to 'explain why he did these horrible murders' in Wednesday's hearing.
Since his arrest, Kohberger has cut a largely silent figure.
At his change of plea hearing earlier this month, he gave only one-word answers to the judge's questions confirming he was guilty of the horrific crime.
He offered no answers to the questions lingering in the case, including his motive for the murders, who his intended target was and how he chose his victims.
Kohberger's sentence is already agreed upon, so he perhaps has less of an incentive to speak now.
THE SENTENCE
Judge Hippler is expected to sentence Kohberger to life in prison without the possibility of parole, in line with the controversial plea deal struck between the defense and prosecution in the case.
In an unexpected change of plea hearing on July 2, Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.
Under the terms of the plea deal, Kohberger will avoid the death penalty and will be sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for each of the murders, plus the maximum penalty of 10 years on the burglary count.
Kohberger also agreed to waive his right to appeal the plea and sentence as part of the agreement.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Following the sentencing, Kohberger will be transferred to the custody of the Idaho Department of Correction, which will determine which prison will become home for the rest of his life.
Due to the severity of his crime - and the high-profile nature of the case - Kohberger is expected to be sent to the state's only maximum security facility.
Idaho Maximum Security Institution, which has been open since 1989, is home to other notorious inmates including doomsday cult killer Chad Daybell, who sits on death row.
While Kohberger begins his lifetime behind bars, more information is expected to come to light about the murders.
The gag order was lifted last week, finally allowing attorneys, law enforcement and other officials to speak about the case.
At the time, both the prosecution and the defense said they would not make any statements until after the sentencing.
Judge Hippler said the court will also begin the painstaking process to review all the records in the case to determine what can be unsealed and made public.