The parents of Madison Mogen, a victim of a quadruple murder in Idaho, fought back tears as they accepted her posthumous degree – six months after she was massacred along with three other students in their off-campus home.
Posthumous bachelor’s degrees were awarded to the families of Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, who were both elderly at the time of the November 13 murders. Certificates were provided for Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
Mogen’s heartbroken parents tried to hold on as they took the stage to accept the posthumous bachelor’s degree in marketing on behalf of their daughter during the school’s spring opening ceremonies on Saturday, NBC News reported.
The bodies of Mogen, Goncalves, Kernodle and Chapin were found Nov. 13, 2022, in their off-campus home near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow.
Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested after a six-week manhunt and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 26.
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Parents of Idaho quadruple murder victim Madison Mogen (left) fought back tears as they accepted his posthumous graduation on Saturday
Posthumous bachelor’s degrees were awarded to the families of Madison Mogen (pictured) and Kaylee Goncalves, who were both elderly at the time of the November 13 murders
The four students were recognized at the university’s graduation ceremonies on May 13, along with another student who recently died in a car accident and nearly 3,000 new graduates.
“Madison’s family will always be members of the Vandal family,” university president Scott Green said at the ceremony.
“So, thank you for joining us today in celebrating his academic achievements and contributions to the University of Idaho.”
The de Goncalves family received a posthumous bachelor’s degree in general studies in their daughter’s name at the second commencement ceremony later in the day on Saturday.
Chapin, who was a freshman, earned a certificate in recreation, sports and tourism management, and Kernodle, who was a junior, earned a certificate in marketing. Certificates recognize credit towards current degrees.
Maddie Mogen (top) Kaylee Goncalves (second from left) Xana Kernodle (second from right) and Ethan Chapin (center) – all University of Idaho students – were stabbed to death on November 13 in the peaceful University town of Moscow
Bryan Kohberger was arrested after a six-week manhunt and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 26.
“The University of Idaho continues to amaze us with their unwavering support,” Stacy and Jim Chapin said in the statement.
“We appreciate the school that awarded Ethan a posthumous degree. We also want to recognize the thousands of graduating children and the hard work they put in to earn their degrees. Our family wishes them all the best.
The four students were found dead on November 13 in a house where Mogen, Goncalves and Kernodle were roommates. Kernodle’s boyfriend Chapin was spending the night at the time.
Green announced in February that the residence would be demolished as a “healing stage” for the community.
“We will never forget Xana, Ethan, Madison and Kaylee, and I will do everything in my power to protect their dignity and respect their memory,” Green said in a statement at the time.
Scholarships at the University of Idaho have been established, and the school is also working to create a memorial.
Mogen’s posthumous bachelor’s degree in marketing was accepted by his parents
The four University of Idaho students stabbed to death in their off-campus home will receive posthumous degrees and certificates. Goncalves, 21, and Mogen, 21, were months away from receiving their degrees. They will receive a diploma in general studies and marketing
Xana Kernodle (right), who was a junior, will receive a marketing certificate. Meanwhile, freshman Ethan Chapin (left) will earn a certificate in recreation, sport and tourism management
Kohberger, who was pursuing a doctorate in criminal justice, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary in connection with the stabbing deaths. Prosecutors have yet to reveal whether they intend to seek the death penalty.
He is due to appear for this preliminary hearing on June 26.
Last week, attorneys for the suspect filed a motion to delay a May 22 hearing on the media gagging order in place. The lawyers say they will not call an expert witness for the hearing but that he will not be available on the scheduled date.
The Goncalves family also asked the lower court judge to lift the gag order, saying their lawyer should be allowed to speak about the family’s views on the case on their behalf. A hearing on the Goncalves’ request has been set for May 25.
Media organizations have argued that a gag order enforced in the case violates the First Amendment rights of a free press.
The order prohibits lawyers, prosecutors, law enforcement and others involved in the case from speaking to the news media unless they directly quote a court document.
The college where Bryan Kohberger worked was just over eight miles from the scene
Kaylee Goncalves’ family leaves Latah County Court after Kohberger’s first court appearance
But last week, the Idaho Supreme Court unanimously denied the request, saying the news groups should have asked the lower court first to have the order lifted.
The Supreme Court justices did not determine whether the gag order violated First Amendment rights.
“This Court has long respected the role of the media in our constitutional republic and has honored the promises of the Idaho Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution,” Judge Gregory Moeller wrote in the High Court ruling.
Yet, wrote Moeller, balancing the First Amendment protections afforded to the press and the Sixth Amendment fair trial rights promised to defendants has become increasingly difficult with the advent of the internet and social media. .
High-profile cases often present a conundrum for judges, who strive to protect the accused’s right to a fair trial.
Courts sometimes find that controlling the flow of information around the case – by prohibiting those involved from talking about it – is an effective way to limit publicity.
But gag orders can infringe on the rights of the public and those involved in the case. News agencies that cover the courts play a watchdog role, informing the public about the workings of the judiciary.
During the investigation of the University of Idaho student murders, news agency interviews with investigators and law enforcement officials often served to put an end to misinformation being spread in online by people posing as sleuths on social media sites.
