Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger speaks three words during emotional sentencing

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Killer Bryan Kohberger spoke just three words in court on Wednesday when he was given a chance to explain why he killed our University of Idaho students in November 2022.
“I respectfully decline,” the killer said, partially standing up.
Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without parole, plus ten years for burglary and $290,000 in financial penalties to the victims’ families.
“The more we struggle to seek explanation for the unexplainable, the more power and control we give to him,” Judge Steven Hippler said. “In my view, the time has now come to end Mr. Kohberger’s 15 minutes of fame.”
IDAHO VICTIMS’ FAMILIES TO ADDRESS KILLER DIRECTLY AT KOHBERGER SENTENCING
Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (Kyle Green/AP Photo, Pool)
Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

Bryan Kohberger is taken out of the Ada County Courthouse after his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (Kyle Green/AP Photo, Pool)
TRUMP WEIGHS IN ON BRYAN KOHBERGER’S PLEA DEAL AHEAD OF CRUCIAL IDAHO MURDERS SENTENCING
During a press briefing Wednesday following Kohberger’s sentencing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that if it were up to President Trump, he would have “forced this monster” to explain himself.
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“We are so sorry for the grief and the pain that you have experienced at the hands of such a vicious and evil killer. Our nation grieves with you and we will never forget the precious souls who were lost in this horrific act of evil,” she said.”If it were up to the president, he would have forced this monster publicly explain why he chose to steal these innocent souls,” she said.
“May God bless everyone affected by this unimaginable tragedy. Especially the parents who lost their children.”
Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.