After Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, The Argonaut asked students what
they thought about how the case had gone.
The Argonaut asked two questions: What do you think about the plea deal and sentencing? And, do you
think justice was served?
Soren, sophomore
I think that the plea deal being offered to Kohberger so close to the trial without consulting the families of the victims first was wrong. [It] feels like justice wasn’t properly served, given the families didn’t have any say in what was going on.
Olivia, senior
Most cases are solved through plea deals so in a way it didn’t surprise me, but I think he deserves worse than what he got. I can’t say that justice was served since four young, aspiring students were taken
too soon and no amount of pain or anguish he experiences in prison will make up for that, and how any of the friends and families feel, but at least he was caught and sentenced.
Owen, senior
I think it was a cop out by the cops and [one] family considering they didn’t even talk to the others. I do agree that it saves them from having to go to trial again and again if he tries to appeal. But I feel that the families would have been more than willing to go that far. I would have loved to see the life drain from his eyes just as he did to the students.
Cole, senior
I personally think the plea deal was the best option because it means that it’s over. The biggest issue with going to trial means the families would have to sit and listen as the defense would probably paint their kids in the worst light. The families would have to sit and listen to all the horrible things and see all the crime scene pictures and have those photos be the last form of pictures of their kids. I think justice was served even without the trial.
Dakota Steffen can be reached at [email protected].