Kohberger restitution dispute over $27,330 for families' travel costs

Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger have asked a judge to reject a prosecutor request that would add roughly 27,330 in restitution to cover travel and lodging expenses for the families of two University of Idaho students killed in 2022, arguing the families already received substantial crowdfunding and that Kohberger cannot pay while serving life sentences. A virtual hearing on the contested claim is scheduled for Nov. 5.

Prosecutors last month filed a financial compensation statement seeking about 20,400 for the parents of Kaylee Goncalves and nearly 7,000 for the mother of Madison Mogen. An itemized statement with receipts was filed under seal; a prosecutor filing describes the expenses as related to travel and accommodations. Kohberger’s defense team, led by Anne Taylor, filed an objection saying the requested reimbursement is not an economic loss under Idaho law because the families received more than 200,000 in donations through multiple GoFundMe campaigns that specifically covered such expenses.

Defense filings cite three separate crowdfunding efforts and say the Goncalves and Mogen families received a combined 208,000 in contributions. The defense also noted the state’s crime...