Fundraisers to help families attend Boise trial

Three GoFundMe accounts have been established to help three local families whose children were slain last year attend the trial of Brian Kohberger next year.

Kohberger, 29, is charged in the stabbing deaths of four U of I students at an off-campus home in Moscow in November 2022. The victims were Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, both 20, and Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21.

The trial is scheduled for late summer in Boise. It is expected to last about three months. 

Families can use assistance paying for lodging, travel costs, food and loss of work.

The newest account is to help the mother and stepfather of Madison "Maddie" Mogan. It has raised just over $5,000 toward its goal of $45,000.

One for Ben Mogen, father of Madison Mogen, has raised more than $16,000.

Another GoFundMe account to help Kaylee Goncalves' family has raised nearly $60,000. 

Along with financial contributions, some have offered comforting words.

"God is close to the brokenhearted. (Psalm 34:18) I pray you feel God’s presence and warm embrace as he knows your struggle and pain and will carry you through. So sorry for your loss," wrote Jeff H.

Kohberger faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted by a jury. His defense team is challenging a death sentence as a possible punishment for Kohberger, the Associated Press reported.