What to know about Bryan Kohberger's apparent plea deal in the murders of 4 University of Idaho students
NBCJUL 5
Man Who Murdered Four Students in Idaho Changes Plea to Avoid Death Sentence
Above: Bryan Kohberger, charged in the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022, appears for a hearing at the Ada County Courthouse on July 2, 2025 in Boise, Idaho. Image copyright: Kyle Green/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
For 30 months, lawyers for Kohberger pleaded his innocence until he accepted a plea deal that spared him the death penalty for his crimes. For the parents of this horrific crime, their emotions are torn. Some viewed the deal as an opportunity to avoid the pain and spectacle of a trial and focus on healing instead, while others felt they wanted answers about the murder of their loved ones.
Narrative B
This is a terrible outcome for the families of these horrendous crimes. While it is a big wound to open, parents of the victims have too many questions about what happened that night and they deserve to have that respected. This plea deal robbed them of that opportunity.