Steve Goncalves, the father of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves, is demanding tougher justice for Bryan Kohberger. In a recent interview, he said that at first, he believed the convicted killer’s commissary funds should be redirected to pay for a firing squad. Over time, he shifted his focus toward advocating for a law that would use commissary money from convicted murderers to reimburse the costs of investigating their crimes.

Speaking with TMZ, Goncalves explained that he has discussed the proposal with two Idaho legislators. The intent is to ensure that taxpayers are not left footing the massive bills for prosecuting such cases. While Kohberger’s commissary account saw donations from supporters, the amounts were minor compared to the millions Idaho spent pursuing justice.

By April 2024, the state had already spent more than $3.6 million prosecuting the murders, with final costs climbing significantly higher before Kohberger agreed to a plea deal. Goncalves’ proposal would see those convicted contribute directly toward offsetting those expenses.

The Grieving Father Is Upset About The Release Of Crime Scene Photos

Steve Goncalves Bryan Kohberger
Steve Goncalves, father of Kaylee Goncalves.

After Kohberger’s sentencing, materials from the investigation began appearing in the media. These included interviews with his colleagues, dates, and fellow inmates, along with numerous photos from the crime scene in the off-campus home where Kaylee and three friends were murdered in November 2022.

Goncalves said seeing the crime scene photos and related information made public was deeply upsetting. He stressed that the families of the victims wanted such material kept private, and he personally believes releasing it now serves no purpose beyond sensationalism.

Steve Goncalves Disagreed With Bryan Kohberger’s Plea Deal

From the moment the plea deal surfaced, Goncalves voiced strong opposition. In an interview with NBC’s Today show, he accused the state of failing his family, saying, “It’s my daughter. It’s our children. How can you say it’s just when you haven’t even talked to us to see what justice looks like for us?”

When the plea deal was finalized, Goncalves delivered a searing victim impact statement directly to Kohberger. As reported by the New York Post, he told Kohberger, “You’re a joke, a complete joke. You were that foolish, that careless, that stupid… We knew from the very beginning we had you.” He added, “Nobody cares about you. You’re not worth the time, the effort to be remembered. In time, you’ll be nothing but two initials forgotten to the wind.”

Bryan Kohberger Is Currently In Solitary Confinement

Following his sentencing, Kohberger was moved from the Latah County Jail to solitary confinement at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution’s J Block. According to the Idaho Department of Corrections, he is among 535 “volatile male residents” housed there, alongside notorious inmates like Chad Daybell, the convicted child murderer linked to Lori Vallow’s “Doomsday” cult.

The prison is regarded as one of the toughest in the nation. Inmates live in single-person cells, are allowed outside for only one hour a day, and remain under strict security. The facility features double perimeter fencing topped with razor wire, an electronic detection system, and 24-hour armed patrols, ensuring that its remote location remains secure.