Idaho Dad Erupts Kohberger Deal a Betrayal?

Idaho Victim's Dad Slams Kohberger Plea Deal: 'I Can't Pretend Like This Is Justice'

The father of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four University of Idaho students murdered in November 2022, has voiced strong disapproval of the plea deal offered to Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of the heinous crimes. Steve Goncalves accuses prosecutors of rushing and mishandling the deal, leaving the families feeling unheard and disregarded.

"We were not prepared for this -- we had no idea that this was going to happen," Steve Goncalves told ABC News, expressing the shock and disappointment felt by many of the victims' families.

Under the plea agreement, Kohberger will receive four consecutive life sentences for the first-degree murder charges and a maximum penalty of 10 years for the burglary charge. This agreement avoids the death penalty, which had been a possibility.

The plea deal arrives just weeks before Kohberger's trial was slated to begin, with opening arguments scheduled for August 18. Prosecutors reportedly met with some of the victims' relatives late last week to gather input on the potential deal.

According to Steve Goncalves, the possibility of a plea deal was only first mentioned at the end of their Friday meeting.

"Up until that point, we had never even considered it," he said. "It was described to me as, like, due diligence. We're going to, like, look at this option, see if it could fit."

Goncalves emphasized the importance of involving the families in the justice process: "At the least, justice starts with an interview of the families to ask them what justice is. And we didn't get that," he stated.

Latah County prosecutors informed the families via letter over the weekend that they were considering an offer that would remove the death penalty in exchange for guilty pleas to all four murders and an agreement to life imprisonment without parole. While Idaho law dictates that victims or their families should be consulted and informed about proposed plea offers, the ultimate decision rests with the prosecution.

Prosecutors cited several reasons for proposing the deal, including the risks associated with going to trial, such as:

• A potential mistrial
• A hung jury
• The possibility of an acquittal
• The emotional toll a lengthy trial could take on the families
• Lengthy appeals even with a conviction and death sentence

Despite these considerations, Steve Goncalves vehemently opposes negotiating with Kohberger: "We can't just let people come from other states and come in here and kill our kids while they're sleeping, getting an education, and then just negotiate with those types of people," he said, adding, "It's sad, it's disgusting, and I can't pretend like I feel like this is justice."

While prosecutors acknowledged the potential disagreement from family members, they maintain that guilty pleas represent the most realistic path to closure.

A subsequent letter on Monday informed the families that Kohberger had accepted the terms of the deal and would enter guilty pleas at a hearing on Wednesday.

"All of a sudden," Steve Goncalves said, "the trial's over. Two-and-a-half years of your life is over."

He further expressed that the deal is "the opposite of what we wanted and it's the opposite of the majority of what the families wanted." The Goncalves family also feels frustrated by the limited time they were given to prepare for Kohberger's hearing.

"A miracle has to happen in 24 hours for me to get justice," Steve Goncalves stated.

In Monday's letter, prosecutors described the deal as a "sincere attempt to seek justice for your family," adding, "Your viewpoints weighed heavily in our decision-making process, and we hope that you may come to appreciate why we believe this resolution is in the best interest of justice."

Sentencing is anticipated to take place in late July, contingent upon Kohberger entering the expected guilty plea on Wednesday. As part of the agreement, Kohberger will waive all rights to appeal. The state will also seek restitution for funeral expenses and crime victims compensation reimbursement.

The profound grief and frustration expressed by Steve Goncalves highlight the complex and often painful realities of the justice system. While prosecutors aim for closure and certainty, the families of victims often seek a deeper sense of justice that a plea deal may not fully provide. The pursuit of justice, in these circumstances, is a multifaceted journey fraught with emotional challenges and differing perspectives.

Tags: Bryan Kohberger, Idaho murders, Kaylee Goncalves, Plea deal, Steve Goncalves, University of Idaho, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Murder case

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/idaho-victims-dad-slams-kohberger-plea-deal-pretend/story?id=123368198