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By Jenna Sundel
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Multiple individuals impacted by the actions of Bryan Kohberger spoke out through victim impact statements during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary as part of a plea agreement earlier this month. Under the agreement, prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty for Kohberger.
Why It Matters
Kohberger pleaded guilty to charges related to the killings of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in an off-campus residence in November 2022.
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The case deeply impacted those who knew the victims and the community of Moscow, Idaho. The case also received significant media coverage and public interest.
Kohberger was sentenced to four life sentences on the murder charges and 10 years on the burglary charge. District Judge Steven Hippler ordered the sentences to be served consecutively.
Under state law, Kohberger was awarded the right of allocution, or the opportunity to speak before a sentence is imposed. He declined to make a statement.
What To Know
Surviving Roommates Statements Heard at Bryan Kohberger's Sentencing Hearing
The first victim impact statement came from a surviving roommate of the victims, Bethany Funke. The statement was delivered by a friend on Funke's behalf.
"Never in a million years would I have thought that something like this would have happened to my closest friends," Funke's statement said.
Funke said she still regrets not calling 911 sooner.
"I was still out of it and still didn't know what happened," Funke's statement said. "If I had known, I, of course, would have called 911 right away. I still carry so much regret and guilt for not knowing what had happened and not calling right away, even though I understand it wouldn't have changed anything."
Funke said she received death threats after her roommates were killed.
"Social media made it so much worse, and strangers made up stories to entertain themselves," Funke's statement said. "The media harassed not just me, but also my family. People showed up at our house. They called my phone, my parents' phones, other family members' phones and we were chased while I was still trying to survive emotionally and grieve the loss of my friends."
She wrote about how she wants her friends to be remembered.
"I hope that they are remembered for who they are and not what happened to them, because who they are were so beautiful, and they deserve to be remembered in the highest way," Funke's statement said.
Dylan Mortensen, another surviving roommate, spoke next.
"What happened that night changed everything. Because of him, four beautiful, genuine, compassionate people were taken from this world for no reason," Mortensen said.
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Mortensen spoke about the lasting impact of the crimes.
"I couldn't be alone. I had to sleep in my mom's bed because I was to terrified to close my eyes, terrified that if I blinked, someone might be there," Mortensen said. "I made escape plans everywhere I went. If something happens, how do I get out? What can I use to defend myself?"
She also referenced Kohberger during her statement.
"He is a hollow vessel, something less than human; a body without empathy, without remorse," Mortensen said.
Mortensen explained why she decided to speak out during the sentencing.
"Speaking today is to help me find some sort of justice for them, and I will never let him take that from me. He may have taken so much from me, but he will never get to take my voice," Mortensen said.
Madison Mogen's Family Members Read Statements at Bryan Kohberger's Sentencing Hearing
Scott Laramie, Mogen's stepfather, said, "This world was a better place with her in it."
"Karen and I are ordinary people, but we lived extraordinary lives because we had Maddie," Scott Laramie said, referring to Mogen's mother, Karen Laramie.
Scott said Mogen was killed "senselessly and brutally in a sudden act of evil."
"Since Maddie's loss, there's emptiness in our hearts, home and family. An endless void," Scott said.
He also said he supports the plea agreement.
"As for the defendant, we will not waste words, nor will we fall into hatred or bitterness. Evil has many faces, and we now know this, but evil does not deserve our time and attention," Scott said.
Attorney Leander James read a statement on Karen Laramie's behalf.
"Maddie was our hope and our light. Her beauty, both outside and in, shone its light upon everyone with whom she came in contact," Karen's statement said.
She also addressed Kohberger in her statement.
"We will waste no further words or thoughts on him," her statement said.
Kim Cheeley, Mogen's grandmother, said her granddaughter gave her an engraved necklace that has become one of her treasured possessions. She also got a tattoo of angel wings replicating the ones that Mogen and her sorority sisters had.
"I wanted mine where I could see it and touch it often," Cheeley said.
Cheeley said the family has lived with the effects of traumatic grief for the past two and a half years.
"My son Ben, his two sisters, Maddie's aunts, and I have all experienced depression and anxiety and sleep disturbance, requiring medical intervention. At times, we've all sought counseling off and on," Cheeley said.
Cheeley also mentioned the other families impacted by Kohberger's actions.
"My heart aches for the kids' roommates and the families of the other victims, and also the family of the perpetrator," Cheeley said.
Benjamin Mogen, Madison's father, shared his favorite memory of Madison, which was taking her to a Mac Miller concert.
"She was my favorite person to go to a concert with," Benjamin said.
He spoke about his struggles with addiction and substance abuse.
"When I wasn't wanting to live anymore, she was what would keep me from just not caring anymore and knowing that she was out there and she was just such a beautiful person kept me alive," Benjamin said.
Kaylee Goncalves' Family Members Read Statements at Bryan Kohberger's Sentencing Hearing
Steve Goncalves, the father of Kaylee Goncalves, addressed Kohberger during his victim impact statement.
"Today, we are here to prove that you picked the wrong families, wrong state, the wrong police officers, the wrong community," Steve said. "You tried to break our community apart. You tried to plant fear, you tried to divide us. You failed. Instead, your actions have united everyone in their disgust for you."
Steve called Kohberger a "complete joke."
"The world's watching because of the kids, not because of you," Steve said. "Nobody cares about you. You're not worth the time, the effort to be remembered."
Alivea Goncalves, Kaylee's sister, spoke about the bond between Kaylee and Madison. She said the two would not want her to give Kohberger the satisfaction of showing vulnerability.
"I won't offer you tears, I won't offer you trembling," she said. "Disappointments like you thrive on pain, on fear and on the illusion of power, and I won't feed your beast. Instead, I will call you what you are: sociopath, psychopath, murderer."
Alivea said Kaylee and Madison would have treated Kohberger with kindness had he approached them in their everyday lives.
"They would have given you directions, thanked you for the compliment or awkwardly giggled to make your own words less uncomfortable for you. In a world that rejected you, they would have shown mercy," Alivea said.
Alivea asked a series of questions about the night her sister was killed, including Kaylee's final words.
"If you were really smart, do you think you'd be here right now? What's it like needing this much attention just to feel real? You're terrified of being ordinary, aren't you?" she asked.
Alivea concluded her remarks by stating, "If you hadn't attacked them in their sleep, in the middle of the night, like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your f****** a**."
Kristi Goncalves, Kaylee's mother, said she never thought she would have to speak to someone "so devoid of humanity."
"For a long time, I didn't think I'd find the words low enough to meet you where you are, but now I realize this isn't about you," Kristi said. "It's about what you've done to me, and I need you to hear it."
Kristi said Kohberger "left a trail of devastation far beyond that house."
"You stole my peace," Kristi said. "You've altered every waking moment, every sleepless night. The way I view the world, people, safety, trust, it's all been changed by your cruelty. I no longer recognize parts of myself. Laughter feels foreign. The world moves forward, but I'm suspended in a place of sorrow and rage."
Kristi said she was "disappointed" that Kohberger will not face the death penalty.
"A dead killer doesn't kill again," Kristi said. "So while I'm disappointed the firing squad won't get to take their shots at you, I'm confident that the men in prison will have their way with you in more ways than one. You will finally get what you wanted, physical touch, just probably not how you were expecting it."
Kristi also shared a message to Kohberger from another of Kaylee's sisters, Aubrey: "You may have received As in high school and college, but you are going to be getting 'big Ds' in prison."
Attorney Shannon Gray also shared statements from Kaylee's aunt and grandmothers.
Xana Kernodle's Family Members Read Statements at Bryan Kohberger's Sentencing Hearing
Jazzmin Kernodle, Xana's sister, said she "went back and forth" on whether to speak at the sentencing, but said Kohberger does not deserve power over her feelings.
"On November 13, 2022, a piece of my heart was ripped away," Jazzmin said. "There's no way to ever fully describe the weight of losing my sister or my best friend. No sentence or punishment will ever come close to the justice Xana, Ethan, Kaylee and Maddie deserve."
Jazzmin described Xana as "everyone's best friend."
"She was kind. She was funny. She was a gift to each person she was able to make an impact on," Jazzmin said. "Xana was someone I turned to when I needed direction or advice. Even though I'm her older sister, I often found myself looking up to her."
Jazzmin said she hopes Kohberger feels the weight of his actions and takes accountability.
"I am strong. I am brave. I am a fighter, just like Xana," Jazzmin said. "And you don't get to control how I move forward or what I believe. I walk with the comfort of knowing I will see my sister again."
Jeff Kernodle, Xana's father, said he misses his daughter.
"When she was gone, I realized how important she was and what she really did for me influenced me," Jeff said.
Jeff said he almost went over to the home on the night of the killings, and he wishes he did, "because they would have had a chance, all four of them."
"She just wants us to make more memories and not be sad or upset," Jeff said of his daughter.
Kim Kernodle, Xana's aunt, said she was a "fun, loving, high-spirited, beautiful person."
"I no longer get to get my nails done with her, have lunch with her," Kim said.
Kim said she has forgiven Kohberger, whom she addressed directly in her statement.
"Anytime you want to talk and tell me what happened, get my number," Kim said. "I'm here, no judgment."
Stratton Kernodle, Xana's uncle, said Kohberger has "contaminated" and "tainted" the Kohberger family's name.
"I know that's what he has to live with, and that has to be his pain," Stratton said.
Randy Davis, Xana's stepfather, said this will probably be the last time the victims' families are in the same room together.
"I love you all and I feel your pain," he said.
Davis said Kohberger is going to "suffer."
"I'm shaking because I want to reach out to you but I just, I hope you feel my energy, okay?" Davis said. "Go to hell."
Cara Northington, Kernodle's mother, said she forgives Kohberger.
"Jesus has allowed me to forgive you for murdering my daughter without you even being sorry," Northington said.
She also told Kohberger, "I do not fear you or even let you rent space in my head anymore."
She said Kohberger does not deserve to hear her memories of Kernodle.
"I'm not going to share memories of Xana or any more of the goodness of her with you, because I do not want that to be in your head," Northington said.
What Happens Next
After sentencing, Kohberger was expected to be transferred into the custody of the Idaho Department of Corrections, where he will undergo evaluation to determine his facility assignment, USA TODAY reported. The process could take up to two weeks.
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