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According to NBC News, the man accused of fatally stabbing four college students at his Idaho home three years ago, apparently agreed to plead guilty to the murder.
Brian Coberger, 30, was scheduled to be tested in the murders of Ethan Chapin, Zana Carnodor, Madison Morgen and Kaylee Goncalves in August, but he is scheduled to appear at a hearing in Boise on Wednesday.
Here’s what we know about development:
What do you say about the agreement?
Coberger, a former doctoral student in criminology at Washington State University, was charged on November 13, 2022 with four counts of first-degree murder and robbery in connection with the murder in Moscow, Idaho.
Madison Morgen, Zana Carnodor, Kaylee Goncalves, and Ethan Chapin. ()
The student was found dead in a house about half a block from campus. Authorities linked Kohberger to the murder via cell phone data on a knife sheath discovered at the scene, security camera video and DNA.
The prosecutors were pursuing the death penalty.
According to Goncalves’ family, the Latah County Prosecutor’s office first mentioned the possible plea bargain on Friday. They said they received an email two days later with the proposed contract attached.
Idaho politicians say the letter reportedly stated that Rata County indicted prosecutor Bill Thompson said the obvious deal would secure Coberger’s conviction and send him to jail for the rest of his life.
“The agreement ensures that the defendant is convicted and will spend the rest of his life in prison, and that you and other family members cannot place through the uncertainty of appeal after decades of conviction,” the letter states.
NBC News has not seen this letter. The prosecutor’s office has not confirmed its credibility. “It appears there’s a plea deal that’s been offered and accepted,” a lawyer for the Goncalves family said.
What do the family say about the obvious agreement?
Goncalves’ families accused officials of not seeking opinions on the contract, and then they told the prosecutor’s office they were “enthussed.”
After receiving the proposed deal, the family told the prosecutor’s office in a statement that it was a “hard no,” and reiterated their position that authorities should seek the death penalty.
“More than two years later, this will end with a secret deal and a hurry to close the lawsuit without any opinions from the victim’s family about judicial details,” they said in a statement Monday.
In an interview with NBC’s “Today” show, Steve Goncalves said Idaho had “failed me” and “everyone my family.”
Representatives from Ethan Chapin’s family said they will be attending Wednesday’s hearing in support of the agreement.
Mogen and Kernodle’s family did not respond to requests for comment. Kernodle’s aunt told TMZ that she wanted Kohberger to face a ju judge and that she hoped the judge would delay a decision related to Wednesday’s hearing.
In a statement, Kohberger’s family sought the media for privacy, respect and “responsible judgment.”
“We continue to allow legal proceedings to unfold with regard to all parties and will not release comments or ask questions,” they said. “We ask that you respect our wishes during difficult times for all those affected.”
When is the hearing?
The live-streamed hearing is scheduled for 11am local time at ADA County Courthouse in Boise.
Public seats are the first seats and the first service, a court spokesperson said. The Associated Press journalist acts as a pool photographer.
This story first appeared on nbcnews.com. More from NBC News:
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