Subject: Petition to Pursue Federal Charges and Capital Punishment in the Bryan Kohberger Case
 

To the Office of the Attorney General,

I write to you not only as a citizen of this nation, but as a voice for the voiceless—on behalf of the victims whose lives were brutally stolen, and the families whose grief will never end.

I am formally requesting that the United States Department of Justice open a federal criminal case against Bryan Christopher Kohberger, and pursue the death penalty under all applicable federal statutes.

In July 2025, Kohberger entered a guilty plea in Idaho District Court for the premeditated and sadistic murders of four innocent University of Idaho students—a crime that has shaken the conscience of this country. This act was not impulsive; it was calculated, deliberate, and monstrously cruel.

While his guilty plea may have spared him the death penalty at the state level, allowing him to live—on the taxpayers’ dime—is a miscarriage of true justice.

A life sentence, in my view, should be reserved for those who demonstrate even the slightest glimmer of remorse, redemption, or humanity. Kohberger has shown none.

When given the opportunity to speak directly to the victims’ families, he sarcastically refused, saying he “respectfully declined.” There was no apology, no recognition of the pain he caused. Not even a hollow pretense of regret.

Worse still, during the legal process, he deliberately allowed the court to draw out proceedings, forcing surviving witnesses Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke to remain in the public crosshairs—by insinuating they were suspects themselves. This was not just cowardice. It was cruelty layered upon cruelty.

Because of his complete and utter disregard for human life, allowing this plea deal to stand as his final punishment would not just be a failure of justice—it would be a violation of the victims' Eighth Amendment rights.

The families of the victims have already endured the unimaginable. To now ask them to accept a future in which the man who stole their children gets to live, breathe, and be protected by the very laws he defiled—is to ask too much.

We turn to the federal government now, because the state system has done all it can.

Let the full weight of federal justice fall where it belongs.
Let the victims' families see justice carried to completion.
Let it be known: cruelty without remorse will not be met with comfort, but with consequence.

Outlined are the following reasons I believe this case should be pursued on a Federal level:

Federal Interest and Jurisdiction Justification

We respectfully submit that federal jurisdiction is warranted and appropriate under the following legal grounds:

Interstate Movement with Criminal Intent
Mr. Kohberger, while residing in Pullman, Washington, crossed state lines into Idaho to commit these murders. This constitutes a potential violation of:
18 U.S. Code § 2261A (Interstate stalking resulting in death, evident by him requesting a plea deal in this case and the fact that he both lived and worked in the bordering state, beyond a reasonable doubt Kohberger, as witnessed by   cell tower evidence existing Between July and mid-November 2022, Kohberger’s phone pinged a cell tower covering an area within about 100 meters of the victims’ King Road residence 23 times, all after dark—suggesting repeated nighttime proximity to the home with no given reason by the convicted as to the reason he was in the vicinity)  
 on the day of the murders Surveillance captured a white Hyundai making passes along King Road within a 13-minute window, overlapping with the time of the murders (approx. between 3:29 a.m. and 4:04 a.m.)
Around 9:12 a.m., several hours after the killings, Kohberger’s phone reconnected to the network in Moscow near the crime scene and stayed in coverage for about 9 minutes where the convicted disgustingly returned to Pullman Washington to take the infamous thumbs up picture.
18 U.S. Code § 1519 (Destruction/concealment of evidence in relation to a federal investigation), although this is not currently a federal case, if it were to be opened as such, Kohberger disposed and possibly destroyed necessary evidence directly tying him to this case and would allow room for this to be brought against him.
Multiple Aggravating Factors Warranting Federal Death Penalty Consideration
The murders involved:
Multiple victims (four), Kaylee Goncalves 21, Madison Mogen 21, Xana Kernodle 20 and Ethan Chapin 20
Extreme violence and the use of a Ka-Bar shows the depth of the convicted level of depravity,
Premeditation, planning, and late-night intrusion into a private residence, in a home that was out of the way of his work and home. Furthermore, the convicted did not care to show evidence of any reason he should be within the vicinity of the victims, and the stars have yet to testify on his behalf.
Interference with interstate law enforcement investigation, involving the FBI and multi-jurisdictional resources- as evidenced by him repeatedly interfering with the previous investigation by the continual extensions and lies about vital evidence.
A Strong Federal Interest: Upholding the Rule of Law in the Face of Domestic Terror

Although this case has not been formally labeled as terrorism, its impact mirrors that of a calculated act of domestic terror.

The brutal murders of four innocent students created a climate of fear—not only within the small community of Moscow, Idaho, but across the nation. Young people, women, and students felt the aftershock deeply, questioning their safety in their homes, dorms, and daily lives. This crime shook the collective sense of security in America’s youth, and left a gaping wound that may never fully heal.

What makes this case even more chilling is the intentional, premeditated misuse of law enforcement pathways by the convicted. Bryan Kohberger’s attempt to embed himself within the Pullman Police Department—just two months before the murders—was not coincidental. It appears to have been a calculated effort to gain insight, access, and control—a foothold from which he could manipulate the system and better execute his horrific plan.

This was not a man interested in justice.
This was a man weaponizing his academic training and exploiting police proximity to inflict maximum harm.

Under 18 U.S. Code § 2331, terrorism is defined not only by foreign origins, but by acts intended to intimidate or coerce civilians and influence government or institutional behavior. 

This case fits that spirit: it fostered widespread fear, inspired obsessive followers, and may even encourage copycat killers emboldened by his notoriety.

 
The DOJ Has a Moral and Legal Mandate

The Department of Justice now stands at a crucial juncture.
This case is not just about punishing one man—it is about sending a clear, unshakable message:

This nation does not tolerate those who use fear, calculated violence, and manipulation of authority to prey on the innocent.

Justice cannot stop at the state level.
The federal government has both the jurisdiction and the responsibility to pursue this case under the full extent of U.S. law, including federal criminal statutes related to domestic terrorism and capital punishment.

Let this case be a turning point.
Let it reaffirm the nation’s unwavering commitment to protecting its people, especially its most vulnerable.
Let it stand as proof that fear will not go unanswered.

 
Request for Action

We respectfully petition the DOJ to:

Open a parallel federal criminal investigation into Bryan Kohberger under applicable statutes,
Pursue federal charges for any criminal violations uncovered in the investigation, and
Seek the federal death penalty, pursuant to 18 U.S. Code § 3591, based on the overwhelming aggravating factors present.
 
Precedent and Public Confidence

In cases such as those involving Dylann Roof and Timothy McVeigh, the federal government demonstrated that where state prosecution falls short in securing justice, the DOJ can and must act. With Idaho opting for a plea deal, public confidence in the justice system is shaken. Allowing a confessed mass murderer to escape the death penalty when federal law supports it sends the wrong message.

This petition is not a call for vengeance, but for proportional, lawful justice in one of the most heinous crimes in recent American history.

 
Conclusion

We urge you to intervene in this case in the interest of justice, deterrence, and respect for the victims and their families. The nation watched in horror as this case unfolded — and many now watch in disbelief as the worst possible punishment has been taken off the table.

Please stand with the victims. Please act where the state could not. Please pursue federal prosecution and capital punishment for Bryan C. Kohberger.

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Rodriguez