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Without any emotion or remorse, Brian Kohberger, 30, has just pleaded guilty Tuesday to the November 13, 2022 fatal stabbings of four University of Idaho students — Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin – while they slept in their off-campus house.
At the time, Kohberger was a doctoral student majoring in criminal justice at Washington State University.
Kohberger was set to go to trial for the murders, but his guilty plea has now eliminated the jury trial and also allowed him to escape a potential death penalty.
Judge Steven Hippler said he learned about the plea deal the same as everyone else.
“I, like everyone else, learned of this plea agreement Monday afternoon and had no inkling of it beforehand. Once I learned of the defendant’s decision to change his plea in this case it was important that I take the plea as soon as possible,” Hippler said.
“Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?” the judge asked.
“Yes” Kohberger responded.
The judge listed off the charges, telling Kohberger: “You stabbed and murdered Madison Mogen. You deliberately killed and murdered Kaylee Goncalves a human being. You killed and murdered Xana Kernodle. You killed and murdered Ethan Chapin. Do you understand you are admitting those things are true?”
“Yes,” Kohberger responded to each one, with no expression, emotion or remorse in his voice.
“Did you enter the residence at 1122 King Road with the intent to commit murder?” the judge asked.
“Yes,” Kohberger responded.
Prosecutor Bill Thompson mapped out Kohberger’s actions, noting that he purchased the knife as far back as March 2022, while he was still living with his parents in Pennsylvania.
In July of 2022 Kohberger’s phone began connecting to a cell tower near the victims home, Thompson announced.
News Nation correspondent Brian Entin, who was in the courtroom, posted updates on X as Thompson shared details of the horrific killings, and noted that Kohberger even took a “thumbs up” selfie after it was all over.
State says early morning November 13, 2022 — Kohberger’s phone left his residence in Pullman and was then turned off during the time of the murders.
Surveillance video shows Kohberger’s car circling the 1122 King Road neighborhood starting around 3:30am.— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
4:05am — Kohberger’s car did a u turn and parked above and behind the 1122 King Road residence.
Entered through kitchen sliding door.— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
Kohberger entered the residence. Went to third floor. Killed Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. Left the sheath behind next to Madison’s body.
Xana was still awake at this time.— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
Kohberger encountered Xana and killed her with the knife. Ethan Chapin was asleep, and Kohberger then killed him with the knife.
Each victim suffered multiple wounds. No evidence of a sexual assault on any victims.— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
Surviving roommate saw Kohberger leaving through the kitchen door.
Defendants car is later seen on a neighbor’s surveillance video leaving the area at a high rate of speed.
Car almost loses control.— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
After murders, Kohberger drove on the back roads south of Moscow, Idaho.
4:48 — Kohberger’s phone comes back on.— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
5:26am — surveillance cameras in Pullman, Washington show Kohberger entering the area and to his apartment.
He arrived at his apartment at 5:30am.— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
Later that morning — Kohberger went back to the murder house around 9am. Was there for ten minutes. And then returned back to his apartment in Pullman.
Then he took the selfie of himself with the thumbs up in his bathroom.— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
Kohberger later tried to delete his transaction history on Amazon that shows he bought the knife.
He also went to the DMV to change his car registration.— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
After the murders, Kohberger finished his studies at Washington State and then returned to Pennsylvania for the holidays.
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
Investigators took trash from Kohberger’s parents house in Pennsylvania where he was staying.
Lab then identified DNA on cue tip as the “father of the person whose DNA was found on the knife sheath.”— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 2, 2025
Sentencing is now scheduled for July 23 at 9 a.m. local time.
WATCH the court proceedings in the video below, as the judge takes Kohberger’s guilty pleas.
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