Death penalty sought for accused Idaho student killer
Two families of victims have said they will seek the death penalty for Brian Kohberger, accused of killing the University of Idaho four.
The accused is charged with killing 21-year-olds Kaylee Goncalves and Maddie Mogen and couple Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, both 20.
Both the Goncalves' and the Mogen families - Kaylee and Maddie were found dead in bed next to each other - support the death penalty in this case.
Goncalves family attorney Shanon Gray told NewsNation: "We spoke with the prosecutor on the case, Mr Thompson. He’s going to meet with all the families individually, and then make a decision based on that.
"So, the Goncalves family obviously supports the death penalty in this case."
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Kaylee Goncalves (left) and Maddie Mogen (ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)
Kohberger will go on trial in October (Latah County Sheriff's Office/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)Alleged killer Kohberger, 28, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. He remained silent when asked to give a plea, using Idaho's 'standing silent' plea.
It means Kohberger has not pleaded either way but may still be tried. The judge entered a not-guilty plea on the defendant's behalf.
He remains in Latah County Jail and the trial is due to begin on October 2.
At the beginning of this year, Kohberger's parents released a statement that said they "care deeply" for the families of the slain students.
A judge entered a not guilty plea on Kohberger's behalf (Ted S Warren/AP/REX/Shutterstock)They said: "First and foremost, we care deeply for the four families who have lost their precious children.
"There are no words that can adequately express the sadness we feel, and we pray each day for them.
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"We will continue to let the legal process unfold and as a family we will love and support our son and brother."
The statement continued: "We have fully cooperated with law enforcement agencies in an attempt to seek the truth and promote his presumption of innocence rather than judge unknown facts and make erroneous assumptions.
University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves (second from left, bottom) and Madison Mogen (second from left, top), Ethan Chapin (centre) and Xana Kernodle (second from right) were stabbed to death in their beds as they slept, in their off-campus home, on November 13, between 3 and 4 AM (ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)"We respect privacy in this matter as our family and the families suffering loss can move forward through the legal process."
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The four students were killed in the early hours of November 13 when a man entered their home, an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho. Blood could be seen dripping down the walls of the property in the wake of the killings.
Moscow had not seen a murder for seven years before November 13 last year.
Kohberger was arrested at his parent's home in Pennsylvania on December 30. Police affidavits said a man with "bushy eyebrows" in a black ski mask walk past her down the hall and out of the property's sliding glass door.
Public defender Jason LaBar told TODAY Kohberger believes he is "going to be exonerated".
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