BRYAN Kohberger will spend the rest of his days behind bars after he was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022.
Judge Steven Hippler wiped away tears as he announced the sentence for Kohberger, 30, after an emotional hearing where the victims’ family and friends shared devastating impact statements.
Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse for his sentencing hearing on WednesdayAP
APJudge Steven Hippler wiping away tears as he speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse[/caption]
APAlivea Goncalves, sister of victim Kaylee Goncalves, speaking at Bryan Kohberger’s sentencing hearing[/caption]
From left to right: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee’s shoulders) Ethan Chapin, and Xana KernodleInstagram / @kayleegoncalves
The judge called Kohberger the “worst of the worst” because he never showed remorse for killing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin while acting as a “faceless coward.”
“The time has now come to end Mr. Kohberger’s 15 minutes of fame,” Hippler said.
Kohberger was sentenced after “respectfully declining” to speak to the court, destroying the hopes of families that they might get answers as to why he stabbed the young students in their sleep.
The killer sat still and emotionless in an orange jumpsuit during the hearing as families recounted the tragedy’s traumatic aftermath and ripped into him with raging insults during their impact statements.
The family of Kaylee Goncalves launched a powerful barrage of straightforward insults during their statements as Kaylee’s dad, Steve Goncalves, even turned the podium to face Kohberger directly.
“The world’s watching because of the kids, not because of you. Nobody cares about you,” Goncalves, Kaylee’s father, slammed as he locked eyes with his daughter’s killer.
The courtroom erupted into applause after Alivea Goncalves, Kaylee’s older sister, told Kohberger he was a “delusional, pathetic, hypochondriac loser who thought you were so much smarter than everybody else.”
The two surviving roommates, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, shared gut-wrenching statements where they spoke about the fear and anxiety that follows them after the tragedy.
“He is a hollow vessel, something less than human. He may have taken so much from me, but he will never get to take my voice,” Mortensen said through tears.
In a press conference after the sentencing, Idaho State Police Lieutenant Darren Gilbertson debunked the conspiracy theories that a Facebook account with the name Papa Rodgers was ever associated with Kohberger.
“It was not him,” Gilbertson said as he finally quashed the online speculation.
In late 2022, the Facebook account joined an online group that was created by spectators where they discuss the case.
However, the spectators took notice of the mysterious account because of its cryptic posts about specific evidence, including a reference to a knife sheath before investigators revealed they recovered one.
Moscow Police Chief Anthony Dahlinger said the city would make a website available later Wednesday where it will begin filing documents related to the murder investigation.
GettySteve Goncalves, father of victim Kaylee Goncalves, speaking at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger[/caption]
Dylan Mortensen (black), one of the two surviving housemates, was overcome with emotion as she delivered her victim impact statement to the courtAP
Read our live blog on the sentencing of Bryan Kohberger…
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