On a recent podcast episode, legal expert Matt Murphy discussed the potential success of a family member of one of Brian Kohberger’s victims in seeking a plea delay. This came after the family expressed surprise at the plea deal announced by Kohberger, who reportedly accepted the terms concerning the murders of former University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin. The Goncalves family has publicly opposed this decision.
“That’s pretty shocking, Matt,” a host remarked, addressing Murphy’s lengthy experience as a prosecutor dealing with cases like Kohberger’s. “What’s your take on Steve Goncalves’ strong statement about this?”
Murphy replied, “First off, it’s really tragic. Situations like this should never happen. People shouldn’t have to feel so separated from their families. Now, whether or not you plead is different from being given the chance to express your feelings and come to court.”
Following the plea announcement, the Goncalves family expressed their dissatisfaction via a post on their Facebook page, criticizing the state for “failing” them. They seem to feel left out of the legal process surrounding the case.
In a later communication, the family revealed that their discussions with prosecutors felt quite informal, barely touching on what they needed to discuss. They had initially responded with a “difficult no” to the plea deal but scrambled to push for the death penalty after receiving prompt communications about it.
“In California, for instance, the victims have constitutional rights, including being heard in crucial proceedings,” Murphy pointed out. “But right now, it feels like only the Goncalves family is voicing their concerns.” He noted that the timeline seemed short for making such significant decisions, given that they had only recently heard from the defense, and the plea was expected to be finalized soon.
In November 2022, the four students were brutally murdered in an off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger was arrested a month later, with evidence accumulating against him, such as cell phone tracking, surveillance footage, and a DNA match from a knife sheath found at the scene of the crime.
Kohberger is facing serious charges, including four consecutive life sentences, along with a potential 10-year penalty for robbery. His plea hearing is scheduled for a Wednesday, and the Goncalves family’s attorneys have requested permission for them to attend the hearing in Boise. In another post, the family criticized the prosecutor’s office for mishandling the plea agreement.
They expressed frustration over the situation, saying, “More than two years later, we’re facing a rushed, secret deal that closes the case without our input as victims’ families.” Their statement concluded with a feeling of resignation, stating they would gather to confront the reality of what lies ahead.
