Bryan Kohberger’s Lawyers Say Idaho Victims’ Families Got ‘Enough Money Already,’ And The Audacity Is Breathtaking

Bryan Kohberger’s defense team has asked a judge to let him skip paying about $27,000 more to two victims’ families. Their reason? The families already got enough money from public donations. The 30-year-old former student pleaded guilty to killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. As part of his deal, he agreed to pay over $250,000 in fines and fees, plus $20,000 to each victim’s family.

The extra money being requested includes about $20,000 for Kaylee Goncalves’ parents and nearly $7,000 for Madison Mogen’s mother, Karen Laramie. This money would cover their travel and hotel costs for attending court. Kohberger killed Goncalves, 21, Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, in their off-campus home.

As per Fox News, his lawyers, Anne Taylor, Elisa Massoth and Bicka Barlow, wrote in court papers that “the additional funds sought do not qualify as an economic loss under Idaho Code 19-5304 because Steve and Kristi Goncalves and Karen Larmie (sic) received extensive funds through multiple GoFundMe campaigns that specifically asked for and covered the expenses sought.” They pointed to three different fundraisers that brought in large amounts of money from people around the country.

The Defense Really Thinks GoFundMe Should Cover This 

The defense team listed the GoFundMe campaigns in their court filing. One fundraiser collected $73,493 for both the Goncalves and Mogen families. Another campaign raised $48,815 so Laramie could attend Kohberger’s court case in person. A third fundraiser brought in $85,583 for Steve and Kristi Goncalves and their other children so they could also attend court.

Kohberger’s lawyers also wrote that “Mr. Kohberger has no ability now or in the future to pay restitution because he is serving four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years.” This argument means the defense thinks the money doesn’t matter anyway since Kohberger will be in prison for life. Similar debates about responsibility have played out in other high-profile cases, including recent controversies involving political figures and protesters.

The former student pleaded guilty to the murders in July. This happened just weeks before his trial was supposed to start. He had said he was innocent for more than two years before taking the plea deal. The deal let him avoid the death penalty, but he had to give up his right to appeal or ask for a shorter sentence.

The defense is basically saying that since strangers donated money to help the families, Kohberger shouldn’t have to pay them more. But the prosecution wants these travel costs paid as part of the official process, which is separate from the donations people chose to give. While questions about accountability continue in various situations, including international disputes and peace efforts, the judge hasn’t decided yet if Kohberger must pay the extra money to the Goncalves family and Laramie.