The families of two victims of a horrific quadruple murder in Moscow, Idaho have reserved their right to sue the city, court documents have revealed.
Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21, were among four University of Idaho students brutally stabbed to death in their off-campus home on Nov. 13, 2022. Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, both 20, were also killed.
The families of Goncalves and Mogen have now filed legal documents suggesting they could sue the city of Moscow for damages, according to notices filed with the city on May 3 and 11.
Shanon Gray, an attorney representing the two families, said ABC News that even though no lawsuits had yet been filed, the claims would allow them to sue within two years.
It comes just a day after accused killer Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old doctoral student at nearby Washington State University, ‘kept silent’ while a judge pleaded not guilty on his behalf. for the murders of four people from the University of Idaho. students.
The families of Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21, may sue Moscow, Idaho after the couple were murdered in a vicious quadruple stabbing at their off-campus home in November 2022 .
Opinions obtained by the outlet do not specify the type of claim the families could make and the potential amount of money they could seek remains “undetermined at this time”.
“Filing a notice of tort claim is really just a safeguard,” Gray said.
“It’s a guarantee to protect the interests of families, victims and the entire surrounding community, because if something goes wrong or has been done wrong, someone is held accountable.”
The Idaho Tort Claims Act is a law that creates liability for tort claims against Idaho government entities.
It allows victims to file complaints against government units. The Act creates rules and requirements for these types of claims.
Gray said he also filed notices of tort claims with the state of Washington as well as the state of Idaho.
“These are intended for nothing other than to protect the interests of families and victims in the future,” Gray said.
Mayor Art Bettge told DailyMail.com: “I cannot comment on this matter on the advice of the City Attorney as it is currently a litigation matter. My apologies for not being able to speak to the issues.
The Goncalves family were seen leaving Latah County Court earlier this year with their attorney Shanon Gray (left). Earlier in the investigation, Gray criticized investigators’ ability to solve a quadruple murder
Goncalves and Mogen were among four University of Idaho students brutally murdered at their off-campus home in Moscow on November 13, 2022. Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were also killed.
After a more than six-week investigation into the stabbings, police arrested Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old doctoral student at nearby Washington State University, in connection with the murders.
Kohberger was arrested Dec. 30 in Pennsylvania after driving across the country to spend the holidays with his family in Albrightsville.
On Wednesday, a multi-court indictment was filed against the 28-year-old, including four counts of first-degree murder.
During his arraignment on Monday, Kohberger chose to “remain silent,” meaning he did not plead guilty or not guilty when asked in court.
In such cases, the judge enters a plea of not guilty on behalf of the defendant.
Family members sobbed as the judge read out the names of each of the victims, according to reporters in court.
If convicted, Kohberger could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole and fines.
He told the judge he understood the felony charges against him.
Prosecutors now have 60 days to inform the court whether they will seek the death penalty in this case. A tentative trial date was scheduled for October.
After a more than six-week investigation into the stabbings, police arrested Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old doctoral student at nearby Washington State University, in connection with the murders.
During his arraignment on Monday, Kohberger chose to “keep quiet,” meaning he did not plead guilty or not guilty when asked in court.
Early in the investigation into the vicious murders, Gray and the Goncalves family expressed frustration with the pace and lack of transparency by investigators.
Talk with the Today’s show in December, Gray openly criticized investigators’ ability to “handle” a quadruple murder.
“We want to let them know that we hold them accountable for their decisions,” Gray said.
“And if they’re in over their heads, then acknowledge that and hand over the investigation to someone who is more versed in handling these types of issues.”
“I’m not sure they can handle a quadruple murder,” he added.
