One by one, the families of the University of Idaho murder victims stepped up to the podium and stared down their loved ones‘ killer at his sentencing hearing.
One by one, the relatives of the University of Idaho murder victims stepped up to the podium and stared down admitted killer Bryan Kohberger during victim impact statements at his sentencing on Wednesday.
Victim Kaylee Goncalves‘ sister, Alivea Goncalves, who has been an outspoken advocate for Kaylee and her lifelong best friend and fellow victim Maddie Mogen, said in a forceful statement to Kohberger, „My sister Kaylee and her best friend Maddie were not yours to take. They were not yours to study, to stalk or to silence.“
„They’re everything you could never be: loved, accepted, vibrant, accomplished, brave and powerful“, she said.
„They would’ve been kind to you. If you had approached them in their everyday lives, they would’ve given you directions, thanked you for the compliment. . In a world that rejected you, they would’ve shown mercy“, she said.
Goncalves said she „won’t stand here and give you what you want“: tears and trembling.
„You didn’t win. . You’re a delusional, pathetic, hypochondriac loser who thought you were so much smarter than everybody else“, she said.
„You aren’t special or deep, not mysterious or exceptional. Don’t ever get it twisted again. No one is scared of you today. No one is intimidated by you, no one is impressed by you, no one thinks you are important“, she said.
She concluded her statement with memorable words to Kohberger, saying that, if he hadn’t attacked the students in their sleep, „Kaylee would’ve kicked your f—— ass.“
People in the courtroom clapped when Goncalves stepped down.
Judge Steven Hippler sentenced Kohberger to four consecutive life sentences on the four first-degree murder counts and the maximum penalty of 10 years on the burglary count.
The students — roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin — were stabbed to death at the girls‘ off-campus house on Nov. 13, 2022. On July 2, weeks before the trial was set to start, Kohberger pleaded guilty to all counts. As a part of the plea deal, the death penalty was taken off the table.
When Kaylee’s mom, Kristi Goncalves, read her statement on Wednesday, she said to Kohberger, „hell will be waiting.“
„You are nothing.
