In a recent court hearing, the legal team representing Bryan Kohberger, the man convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students, contested a judge’s order for their client to pay an additional $27,000 in restitution.
The defense argued that this sum, intended to reimburse travel expenses for certain victims’ families, is unjustified. Their primary contention is that the families in question had already raised funds for such costs through public donation campaigns. Furthermore, Kohberger’s attorney stated that her client lacks the financial resources to make the payment.
This restitution is separate from the financial penalties mandated by Kohberger’s July plea agreement. As part of that deal, which allowed him to avoid a potential death sentence, he was ordered to pay $250,000 in criminal fines and an $80,000 sum to be divided among the families of the victims: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.
Kohberger, a former criminology student, is currently serving four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the November 2022 killings. He is housed in a maximum-security facility, where reports indicate he has faced challenges adjusting, including complaints about conditions and alleged harassment from other inmates.
The hearing also follows reports that Kohberger has received financial support from outside sources while incarcerated, though details of these contributions remain confidential. The court has not yet issued a ruling on the defense’s motion to waive the additional restitution.
