Bryan Kohberger declines to speak at sentencing hearing

(NewsNation) —Bryan Kohberger, who admitted to murdering four Idaho college students in 2022, declined to speak during his sentencing hearing Wednesday. 

When asked by Judge Steven Hippler if he’d like to make a statement ahead of his sentencing, Kohberger simply replied, “I respectfully decline.” 

The former criminology student sat expressionless as several family and friends of the four young victims made emotional impact statements in court. 

Some spoke directly to him, calling him “pathetic,” “evil,” and “nothing.”  

The mother and aunt of Xana Kernodle told him they had “forgiven" him. 

Kohberger brutally murdered Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in an off-campus Idaho home. 

He took a plea deal, agreeing to serve four life sentences for the slayings. He confessed to killing them in court, avoiding a trial where prosecutors intended to seek the death penalty.

The guilty plea marked an unexpected halt to a years-long legal process for the victims’ families.

Without a trial, the families of the victims may never get an answer to the question of why Kohberger committed the crime.