Bryan Kohberger speaks just 3 words when given chance to explain why he killed Idaho students

Judge gets emotional during Bryan Kohberger Idaho murderer sentencing

The man who stabbed four students to death in a home near the University of Idaho has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Bryan Kohberger and the families of his victims had a chance Wednesday to speak in court but Kohberger remained silent. Kohberger was sentenced as part of a plea deal for murdering Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin in late 2022. Judge Stephen Hippler got emotional before reading the sentencing.

Killer Bryan Kohberger spoke just three words in court on Wednesday when he was given a chance to explain why he killed four University of Idaho students in November 2022.

"I respectfully decline," Kohberger said, partially standing up.

The 30-year-old was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without parole for the murders, plus 10 years for burglary and $290,000 in financial penalties to the victims’ families.

"The more we struggle to seek explanation for the unexplainable, the more power and control we give to him," Judge Steven Hippler said. "In my view, the time has now come to end Mr. Kohberger’s 15 minutes of fame."

Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool)

Earlier this month, Kohberger pleaded guilty to the Nov. 13, 2022, murders of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.

He admitted to sneaking into the students' off-campus house in the early morning hours and killing the friends with a Ka-Bar knife.

Prosecutors said Kohberger killed Mogen and Goncalves in an upstairs bedroom before killing Kernodle on the main floor. He then attacked Chapin, who was asleep in a bedroom.

Kaylee Goncalves’ sister, Alivea Goncalves, speaks at Bryan Kohberger hearing

Alivea Goncalves said her sister and Maddie Mogen had “always known her love,” she said, and would never ask her to prove it by further victimizing herself by showing vulnerability to Kohberger now. (Warning: graphic language)

During a news conference Wednesday following Kohberger's sentencing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that if it were up to President Donald Trump, he would have "forced this monster" to explain himself.

"We are so sorry for the grief and the pain that you have experienced at the hands of such a vicious and evil killer. Our nation grieves with you and we will never forget the precious souls who were lost in this horrific act of evil," she said. "If it were up to the president, he would have forced this monster to publicly explain why he chose to steal these innocent souls."

"May God bless everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy," Leavitt added. "Especially the parents who lost their children."

Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool)

Before the sentencing, prosecutors asked a Boise judge to extend the order barring Kohberger from contacting the victims' families for an additional 99 years.

The current no contact orders expire Jan. 5, 2027.

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