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Bryan Kohberger's victims fought harder than prosecutor: Kaylee Goncalves' father | Banfield

2025-08-07 News & Politics
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Victims' Families Oppose Crime Scene Photo Release and Criticize Prosecutor Handling

Learn why Kaylee Goncalves' father seeks dignity for the victims while criticizing the prosecution's transparency and plea negotiations in the Bryan Kohberger case.

Short Summary

  • Families universally oppose the release of graphic crime scene photos and toxicology results, prioritizing dignity over full transparency of horrific details.
  • Steve Goncalves strongly criticizes Chief Prosecutor Bill Thompson's public statements and perceived tactic of isolating victims' families.
  • Negotiating away the death penalty sets a dangerous legal precedent for future capital cases.

This segment details the perspective of Steve Goncalves regarding the ongoing management of evidence release, family cohesion, and dissatisfaction with the Latah County Prosecutor's public statements following the plea agreement that avoided a trial.

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Description

Steve Goncalves, the father of murdered University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves, tells "Banfield" he and the families of fellow victims Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, killed by Bryan Kohberger, do not want photos of the crime scene to be released. Goncalves was also critical of lead prosecutor Bill Thompson, the Latah County prosecutor. #Banfield #Kohberger #Idaho Ashleigh Banfield is *the* definitive authority on the nation’s biggest true crime stories. A veteran award-winning journalist, Ashleigh brings a sharp focus to the crime stories gripping America, distilling facts and analyzing context in a way which captures viewers’ interests and imaginations. No one knows the prosecution and the defendants’ cases better than BANFIELD, all the while keeping the victim at the heart of every story we tell – just another reason NewsNation is truly News for All Americans. Weeknights at 10p/9C. #Banfield NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans. More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/ Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij

Top Comments (10)

@BlackStump172 2025-08-07

Crime scene photos should not be released to the public . It is sick .

634 71 replies
@sal3414 2025-08-07

Absolutely no reason to release crime scene photos.

560 46 replies
@DeminAilver 2025-08-07

There are no words deep enough to touch the pain of losing a daughter, especially in such a cruel and unjust way. But your strength—just standing, breathing, speaking her name with love and purpose—is something extraordinary. You’ve carried unimaginable grief with courage, and in doing so, you’ve honored her memory in a way that no one else could. I hope you know that your strength doesn’t mean you’re not hurting—it means you’re loving her still, even through the pain. My heart is with you.

464 23 replies
@suzisandpiper 2025-08-07

As a retired prosecutor in another country, I was appalled at the lack of clarity in the giving of the facts at plea. Everything was so watered down to remove the complete ferocity of the attack on these murder victims. It’s as if he had agreed to play it down for a plea deal. “Stabbed multiple times” is almost meaningless in the scenario, which is I believe as far as Thompson described it. Was he worried if he outlined the truth the deal would not be accepted by the court? I don’t know. It was certainly a strangely dealt with case that I will probably remember for the wrong reasons.

282 36 replies
@WomanofSteele 2025-08-07

Steve looks really hopeless and completely drained. These poor people will be in agony forever. God bless them

271 23 replies
@Zuqui-fr3yg 2025-08-07

The families deserve privacy . The photos should never be released to the public . The victims deserve to be remembered as beautiful, happy, vibrant human beings. I don’t see the need for the photos to be released . Give the victims the respect they deserve.

206 13 replies
@LorE_8555 2025-08-07

Full transparency has NOTHING to do with crime scene photos of the victims, beautiful souls.

184 11 replies
@StormiThomas 2025-08-07

Absolutely Dignity is the last thing we can give them This is personal to the kiddos and their families. Insane how cruel the world is

137 3 replies
@victoriaminier2995 2025-08-07

There is absolutely NO reason for those photos to be released. Those poor babies deserve respect. The parents deserve peace and not to worry about news reports or random social media sleuths showing those out of the blue.

136 2 replies
@katies3201 2025-08-07

As someone who truly believes in the FOIA and full disclosure of case facts… WE DON’T NEED THE PHOTOS. We don’t. Let these poor kids rest in peace.

47 2 replies

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