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Idaho victim Kaylee Goncalves' dad Steve pushes back against demolition of infamous murder house: 'Don't touch it until the trial is over'

2023-07-01 16:48
This comes just a few days after prosecutors reportedly planned to go for the death sentence for the alleged University of Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger
Idaho victim Kaylee Goncalves' dad Steve pushes back against demolition of infamous murder house: 'Don't touch it until the trial is over'

MOSCOW, IDAHO: One of the Idaho murder victims’ family members has objected to the demolishing plan of the house, where the four students’ lives tragically ended. Victim Kaylee Goncalves' father, Steve, has pushed back against breaking down the infamous murder house.

Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen were allegedly stabbed to death by the suspect, Bryan Kohberger, in November last year. All of them were reportedly sleeping inside the rented residence on 1122 King Road when Kohberger allegedly attacked them. The suspect is currently behind bars awaiting trial.

'Don't touch the house until the trial is over'

Steve said, “I feel the house is evidence, not just for the prosecution but for both sides," speaking with Inside Edition. Shanon Gray, the lawyer for the Goncalves family, also noted, “You kind of just want to scream from the mountaintops just let it be. Don't touch the house until the trial is over.”

The attorney added, “They ask us what we think of demoing it and we say: 'Don't do it.’ And they say: 'Thanks, but we are demoing it.’”

Steve also went on to express his views if Kohberger getting the death sentence if being convicted. The grieving father stated, “I know I'll be there. Other family members have told me they'll be there for the other victims.”

‘The murder was especially heinous’

This comes just a few days after prosecutors reportedly planned to go for the death sentence for the alleged killer. Justifying their decision, prosecuting attorney William Thompson presented some points, like, “At the time the murder was committed the defendant also committed another murder,” “The murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity.”

“The defendant exhibited utter disregard for human life,” “The murder was committed in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, arson, rape, burglary, kidnapping or mayhem and the defendant killed, intended a killing, or acted with reckless indifference toward human life,” and “The defendant … has exhibited a propensity to commit murder which will probably constitute a continuing threat to society.”

People on the internet also celebrated the prosecutors' decision at the time as a user said, “I hope that state can prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and may god be with this jury to make the decision of the death penalty.” Another user tweeted, “Good. He needs to go. He needs to go. And I believe by a chair.” The third one added, “I'm against the death penalty but, if you have to use it somewhere, this is a textbook case. Multiple cold-blooded stabbings with no sign of remorse.”

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