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Rabat – During a trial on Wednesday, serial killer Barry Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive terms of life in prison, after pleading guilty to murder.
The 30-year-old former criminology student appeared in court on Wednesday, emotionless and in an orange jumpsuit as he sat through the testimony.
There were several emotional testimonies by the victims’ parents, many of whom cried on camera as they presented their cases.
The court and judge presented the verdict of four consecutive life sentences, one for each of the victims Barry Kohberger murdered at their college home in Idaho. The serial killer has been given life without the possibility of parole.
“I am unable to find anything redeemable about Mr Kohberger, his actions have made him the worst of the worst,” said Judge Steven.
When asked by the judge if he wanted to present his case for defence, Barry coolly replied “I respectfully decline,” as he wanted to avoid the death penalty.
Many of the court statements left emotion marks within the court room. For three hours relatives of the victims were able to present their cases and acknowledge the tragic loss that they suffered when they lost their children.
Mothers and fathers of the murdered university students presented testimony, talking about the nature of the victims and the pain that they have experienced. Several demanded answers from Kohberger but he refused to offer any.
The Murders
The crimes themselves were shocking and rocked the small Idaho town of Moscow and made national headlines for two months before Khoberger was arrested.
In the early hours of 13 November 2022, Kohberger broke into the off-campus home of students studying at the University of Idaho in Moscow.
He took a kitchen knife and stabbed to death roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernoodle, Madison Mogen, in a violent attack.
Khoberger had travelled across states to reach the scene of the crime in Idaho, in what seems to be an unmotivated attack. According to the police, they have been able to find no links between the murderer and the victims.
Authorities worked for more than six weeks before they were able to catch Barry using a DNA sample from the knife sheath that he had left at the crime scene, as well as the phone record and surveillance footage of his car.
Kohberger, who officials say had visited the crime scene several times between the murders and his arrest, was put into custody at his family home in Pennsylvania on 30 December.
He had studied for a PHD in criminology, and one of his professors, renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland, is concerned that the study of serial killers and his studies could have inspired him in a twisted way.
As the trial comes to an end, Kohberger will spend the rest of his life in prison. But for the families of the victims, there are likely to be no answers to the questions that they desperately seek.
This trial ends one of the bleakest moments in modern American criminal history.
