(NewsNation) — Convicted killer Bryan Kohberger has been receiving money while serving his life prison sentence, court documents show.
The compensation being sent to Kohberger has come from family and unnamed “third party” supporters, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors have argued the families of Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle should get some of the money sent to Kohberger.
Kohberger, who accepted a plea deal for all the charges against him, was responsible for the murders of the four students at the University of Idaho in 2022.
Under the terms of the plea deal, Kohberger agreed the prosecution could seek restitution for the families to cover funeral expenses and other costs. The day he was sentenced, Kohberger was ordered to pay over $250,000 in criminal fines and fees to the state, a $20,000 civil judgment for each of the families and nearly $29,000 through the Idaho Crime Victim Compensation Fund.
The state also filed a motion in late September seeking an additional $20,000 for Goncalves’ parents and more than $6,900 for Mogen’s mother.
Last week, Kohberger’s defense team argued he should not have to pay the extra money requested by prosecutors on behalf of the families of Mogen and Goncalves because they received money from the public through GoFundMe campaigns.
His defense also pointed out Kohberger has no way to pay because he is in prison.
“The additional funds sought do not qualify as an economic loss under Idaho Code 19-5304 because Steve and Kristi Goncalves and Karen Laramie received extensive funds through multiple GoFundMe campaigns that specifically asked for and covered the expenses sought,” court documents said.
“Mr. Kohberger has no ability now or in the future to pay restitution because he is serving four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years.”
The state of Idaho recently filed a motion saying they have a summary of the financial contributions made to Kohberger while he was staying at the Ada County Jail and Latah County Jail. That summary and list of contributors remain sealed from the public.
A hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 5 to address all the restitution matters.