In partnership with

Idaho’s Plea Deal Sparks Outrage in Brutal Murder Case In a stunning development, Bryan Kohberger, accused of the 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students—Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—has accepted a plea deal. The agreement, reported on June 30, 2025, spares Kohberger the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. He faces four consecutive life sentences without parole, waiving appeal rights. The horrific crime occurred in a Moscow, Idaho, off-campus home, where the victims were brutally slain in the early morning of November 13, 2022. Kohberger, a criminology PhD student, was linked to the scene via DNA on a knife sheath and cellphone data.

The Goncalves family, devastated by the deal, expressed their fury on Facebook: “We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us. Please give us some time. This was very unexpected.” Their anger reflects a broader sentiment that justice has been undermined. Idaho’s decision to offer this plea deal is a slap in the face to taxpayers and victims’ families.

Kohberger, now 30, will live out his days with three meals, a bed, showers, medical care, and daily outdoor time—all funded by the public. This arrangement leaves open the chilling possibility of escape, a lenient judge, or some unforeseen legal loophole setting him free. Why should a man who extinguished four young lives enjoy such comforts while his victims lie in graves?

One must question if Idaho’s prosecutors, led by Latah County’s Bill Thompson, are covertly anti-death penalty, prioritizing personal beliefs over justice. The state’s failure to pursue the death penalty, despite strong evidence like DNA and digital records, betrays the victims’ memory. Idaho has chosen to coddle a monster, forcing taxpayers to bankroll his existence while families grieve. This plea deal doesn’t just deny closure—it risks future danger. Shame on Idaho for letting Kohberger breathe while his victims never will.

Find out why 1M+ professionals read Superhuman AI daily.

In 2 years you will be working for AI

Or an AI will be working for you

Here's how you can future-proof yourself:

1. Join the Superhuman AI newsletter – read by 1M+ people at top companies

2. Master AI tools, tutorials, and news in just 3 minutes a day

3. Become 10X more productive using AI

Join 1,000,000+ pros at companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon that are using AI to get ahead.

Sign up and start learning AI