Bryan Kohberger Denies Paying Compensation; Lawyers Cite GoFundMe Support

Attorneys representing Bryan Kohberger have requested judicial leniency concerning a restitution payment mandated by a previous guilty plea. Kohberger, 30, was convicted for the brutal murders of four University of Idaho students: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

Kohberger’s Legal Arguments

In their latest court filing, Kohberger’s legal team argued that he should be excused from paying additional restitution to the victims’ families, citing substantial financial support received via GoFundMe campaigns. Kohberger is currently serving four consecutive life sentences in an Idaho maximum-security prison.

Restitution Claims and GoFundMe Campaigns

• The total restitution initially ordered was approximately $290,000.
• Prosecutors now seek an additional $20,400 for Goncalves’ parents and $7,000 for Mogen’s mother to cover travel expenses related to the case.
• Three separate GoFundMe campaigns have raised significant funds for the families, including:
• $73,493 for Mogen and Goncalves.
• $48,815 for travel related to the trial for Mogen’s family.
• $85,583 for Goncalves’ family for similar expenses.

Kohberger’s defense claims these funds negate any economic loss associated with the travel expenses the prosecutors are seeking to recover. They argue that, as such, the request for additional restitution should be denied.

Impact of GoFundMe Donations

The defense further highlighted that the grieving families had intended to refund some of the GoFundMe donations post-sentencing, although it remains unclear how successfully they accomplished this. The plea deal Kohberger accepted allowed him to evade the death penalty, with the formal sentencing hearing filled with emotional statements from victims’ families.

Next Steps in the Legal Proceedings

A restitution hearing has been scheduled for November 5, where both sides will present their arguments regarding the financial claims and the GoFundMe support received by the families.

As the legal process continues, the complexities of restitution and the impact of public donations raise important questions about financial recovery for victims’ families in high-profile cases.