Defense attorneys for Bryan Kohberger have filed a motion requesting that a judge excuse him from paying $27,000 in additional restitution to the families of two victims, asserting that they have already received substantial financial support through GoFundMe campaigns. Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to the November 2022 murders of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, was previously ordered to pay a total restitution of $290,000.
In a recent filing, Kohberger’s legal team argued that the families of Goncalves and Mogen have raised significant funds through multiple online fundraisers designed to cover their expenses related to the case. The motion specifically highlighted three GoFundMe campaigns that collectively brought in over $207,000 in donations for travel and other costs associated with attending court proceedings.
The filing emphasizes that the requested additional funds do not qualify as an economic loss under Idaho law, citing that the financial support received should cover the expenses being claimed. Kohberger’s lawyers mentioned that he is currently serving four consecutive life sentences, making it impossible for him to pay any restitution now or in the future.
The three highlighted fundraising efforts include a campaign that raised $73,493 for Goncalves and Mogen’s families, another that provided $48,815 for Mogen’s mother, and a third that amassed $85,583 for the Goncalves family. Kohberger’s attorneys suggested that since the families expressed intentions to refund the donations, the state’s request for additional reimbursement is unwarranted.
Kohberger, a 30-year-old criminology PhD student, accepted a plea deal earlier this summer, thereby sparing himself the death penalty. In addition to his life sentences, he was sentenced to an extra 10 years for burglary and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $290,000. The plea agreement also prevents him from appealing aspects of the case.
The emotional toll of the case remains significant for the victims’ families. While some family members expressed disappointment over the plea deal, arguing it denied them their day in court, others supported the resolution as a step towards healing. This division among the families reflects the complexity of handling justice and closure in such tragic circumstances.
Kohberger is currently incarcerated at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, known for its harsh living conditions. Although he is prohibited from engaging in media interviews under his plea deal, there remains potential for him to monetize his story, which could lead to further legal ramifications from victims’ families seeking compensation for emotional distress.