Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger, the man convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students, appeared in court this week to challenge a court order requiring him to pay over $27,000 in additional restitution to the victims’ families.
The legal team argued that their client should not be responsible for these specific expenses, citing that the families had already raised funds for travel costs through public fundraising campaigns. They also stated that Kohberger lacks the personal financial resources to make the payment.
This $27,000 sum is separate from the financial penalties mandated by his July plea agreement. As part of that deal, Kohberger is required to pay $250,000 in criminal fines and an additional $80,000 to be divided among the families of the victims: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The contested amount is designated as reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by the Goncalves and Mogen families.
Kohberger, a former criminology student, pleaded guilty to the November 2022 killings in exchange for life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, thereby avoiding a potential death penalty sentence. He is currently serving four consecutive life terms at a maximum-security facility.
The restitution hearing follows reports that Kohberger has received financial support from undisclosed individuals while incarcerated. Despite this alleged outside assistance, prison records and complaints filed by Kohberger indicate he has struggled to adapt to the restrictive environment, citing issues with confinement conditions, food, and harassment from other inmates.
The court will now determine whether the additional restitution order will stand.
