Convicted murderer Bryan Kohberger is receiving ‘financial compensation’ despite insisting he can’t afford to pay the families of his victims, prosecutors say.
The 30-year-old former criminology PhD student is serving life in prison for the murders of four Idaho college students, 21-year-olds Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen and 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
Kohberger broke into an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, in the early hours of November 13, 2022, and stabbed the four University of Idaho students to death.
As part of his plea deal, Kohberger agreed that the prosecution could seek restitution for the families to cover funeral expenses and other expenses paid to them through the Idaho Crime Victim Compensation Fund.
However, in court documents filed earlier in October, the murderer refused to pay them additional damages, insisting he ‘has no ability’ to provide restitution because he is behind bars.
State prosecutors responded to Kohberger’s request on Friday, arguing that the killer can afford to pay the families because he has been receiving money from his family and even strangers.
‘In this case there is a history of this Defendant receiving financial compensation from family and third parties,’ the prosecution said.
‘Additionally, this case has and will continue to attract world-wide attention which could result in the Defendant prospectively receiving monies subject to interception by the state treasurer.’
Prosecutors say Bryan Kohberger is receiving ‘financial compensation’ behind bars despite him claiming he can’t afford to pay his victims’ families
Prosecutors also included a sealed exhibit – meaning it is unavailable for the public – that allegedly provides evidence of Kohberger’s income.
At his sentencing, Judge Steven Hippler ordered Kohberger to pay restitution of $251,227.50 in criminal fines and fees to the state, $20,000 civil judgments to each of the families, and $28,956.88 to reimburse the families for funeral expenses and other expenses through the Idaho Crime Victim Compensation Fund.
On September 22, the state filed a motion seeking an additional $20,409.32 for Goncalves’s parents, Kristi and Steve Goncalves, and $6,920.32 for Mogen’s mother, Karen Laramie.
Kohberger’s defense team argued he should not have to pay the extra money requested by prosecutors on behalf of the families of Mogen and Goncalves because they received money from the public through GoFundMe campaigns.
The defense also argued Kohberger has no way to pay because he is in prison.
‘The additional funds sought do not qualify as an economic loss under Idaho Code 19-5304 because Steve and Kristi Goncalves and Karen Laramie received extensive funds through multiple GoFundMe campaigns that specifically asked for and covered the expenses sought,’ the filing stated.
‘Mr. Kohberger has no ability now or in the future to pay restitution because he is serving four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years.’
GoFundMe campaigns were set up for the two families to help them attend court hearings and Kohberger’s trial, which was had been scheduled to begin in August.
Kohberger’s defense team claimed he shouldn’t have to pay the families of victims Kaylee Goncalves (right) and Madison Mogen (left)
Kohberger is serving life in prison for the murders of 21-year-olds Kaylee Goncalves (center left) and Madison Mogen (top left) and 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle (center right) and Ethan Chapin (top right)
Kohberger argued he shouldn’t have to pay Karen Laramie (with husband Scott left) and Kristi and Steve Goncalves (right) because they received money from GoFundMe campaigns
The trial initially had to be moved across the state from Latah County, where the murders took place, to Boise, Ada County, at the defense’s request.
This meant the families would have had to travel much farther and would have needed accommodation for what was expected to be a three-month trial.
Kohberger ultimately struck a plea deal that meant the trial would not go ahead.
In the defense’s court filing, Kohberger’s attorneys pointed to several GoFundMe campaigns for Goncalves’s and Mogen’s families including one for both families that had raised $73,493.
Another campaign to help Mogen’s family travel to Boise for hearings, including the sentencing, raised $48,815, while one designed to help the Goncalves family attend court raised $85,583.
After Kohberger pleaded guilty, sparing him from the death penalty, the Goncalves family took to their Facebook page to announce plans to return funds to those who had donated to help them attend the trial.
Yet, the defense claims that ‘given the specific funds sought and obtained for expenses to travel to Boise, the request should be denied because neither family suffered an economic loss for that which the State seeks reimbursement.
‘Both families did indicate a desire to refund any donations after the case resolved after sentencing, but whether they were able to accomplish this or donor’s requested funds returned is not included in the State’s motion,’ the filing argued.
The defense wrote that Kohberger is waiving his right to appear at a future hearing on the matter. No date has been set for a hearing.