Justice delayed is justice questioned, as Bryan Kohberger’s restitution hearing this week left the families of four murdered University of Idaho students waiting for closure.
The hearing ended without a ruling on what Kohberger owes, while revealing a prosecutorial misstep and questions about his mysterious jail funds, as Fox News reports.
In a Moscow, Idaho, courtroom, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson admitted a significant error during the Nov. 5 hearing. He initially sought about $27,000 in travel expenses for the victims’ families, only to concede these costs weren’t part of Kohberger’s plea deal.
Thompson pivoted, requesting a mere $3,075.58 for funeral expenses instead. Kohberger’s legal team, while agreeing on the figure, insisted he shouldn’t pay even that amount. It’s a curious stance for a convicted murderer avoiding the death penalty.
Judge Steven Hippler pressed attorney Elisa Massoth on why Kohberger shouldn’t honor plea deal terms. With both legal teams attending remotely and Kohberger absent, the judge withheld a ruling. A written decision is expected later, prolonging the families’ wait.
Adding complexity, Judge Hippler revealed Kohberger received a “five-figure” donation to his jail funds. Massoth claimed these funds mainly cover communication costs, a feeble excuse when messages cost just cents. Surely, victims’ restitution should take priority over such conveniences.
Prosecutors noted Kohberger has a history of receiving money from family and unidentified supporters while in custody. They argue these funds should offset restitution. It’s hard to fathom why a killer’s comfort should trump victims’ justice.
The original dispute centered on $27,000 in travel expenses from the families of Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen. Last month, Kohberger’s lawyers argued against additional claims -- roughly $20,000 from Goncalves’ parents and nearly $7,000 from Mogen’s mother—since donations already covered costs.
Kohberger’s defense also claimed public GoFundMe donations should exempt him from restitution. Judge Hippler, however, viewed the plea deal as a binding contract, limiting prosecution demands to agreed terms. Still, public generosity shouldn’t absolve a murderer’s debts.
Judge Hippler dismissed defense claims of Kohberger’s lack of future earning potential. He suggested profits from potential movies, books, or TV deals by Kohberger or relatives could fund restitution. Idaho law, as Massoth noted, curbs criminals profiting, yet loopholes linger.
Under Idaho law, per Judge Hippler, such profits would first pay victims’ debts, with leftovers possibly reaching Kohberger. It’s a small comfort, but ensures some accountability. Families of Goncalves, Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin deserve every cent recoverable.
Kohberger’s plea agreement, sparing him the death penalty, mandates over $250,000 in fines and fees, plus $20,000 in civil judgments per victim’s family. That’s a hefty sum, yet fitting for the brutal loss of four young lives in their Moscow rental home.
The source of Kohberger’s prison funds remains undisclosed, with records sealed by prosecutors. Experts speculate online supporters or media outlets seeking exclusive interviews -- should Kohberger ever speak -- could be contributors. Such potential windfalls mock the gravity of his crimes.
Idaho law requires that earnings from such deals go into an escrow account, accessible to victims’ families via civil lawsuits for up to five years. It’s a safeguard, though imperfect. Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, stricter measures against criminal profiteering might gain traction.
Kohberger has stayed silent, declining to speak at sentencing or share his story. Experts predict media companies could offer large sums if he breaks that silence. Such a payout, while legally redirected, still feels like a perverse reward for infamy.
