The White House said that if it were up to President Donald Trump, he would have “forced” Bryan Kohberger to “publicly explain” why he killed four Idaho college students — after the cold-blooded killer declined to share his motive during his sentencing hearing.
After sharing a message from the White House to the families of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, who were brutally stabbed to death in 2022, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that if it were up to Trump, more would be done to deliver justice.
“If it were up to the President, he would have forced this monster to publicly explain why he chose to steal these innocent souls,” Leavitt said, despite there being no obligation for the killer to share a motive for the crime.
The horrifying November 2022 killings of the four University of Idaho students shocked the college town of Moscow and captivated national audiences due to the sheer violence with no clear motive.
Kohberger maintained his innocence for over two years, until July 2, 2025, when he abruptly took a plea deal. With the deal, he pleaded guilty to all four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, and became no longer eligible for the death penalty.
The plea deal agreement also included no obligation for Kohberger to share his motive, apologize or express remorse.
Judge Steven Hippler on Wednesday handed Kohberger four consecutive life sentences, and an additional 10 years for burglary, without the possibility of parole.
The only time he spoke during Wednesday’s hearing was to “respectfully decline” the opportunity to address the court and detail why he committed the horrific murders.
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