Transcription
During the quiet morning hours of November 13, 2022, a faceless coward reached the tranquility of six beautiful young people. And senselessly slaughtered them, 4 of them.
Who committed this unspeakable evil was unknown for several weeks. But due to the killer's incompetence and outstanding police work by numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The person that slithered through that sliding glass door at 1122 King Road now stands before the world and this court unmasked.
This unfathomable and senseless act of evil has caused immeasurable pain and loss. No parent should ever have to bury their child. This is the greatest tragedy that can be inflicted upon a person. Parents who took their children to college in a truck filled with moving boxes had to bring them home in hearses lined with coffins.
The loss this killer inflicted was not just the death of these people's children, siblings, grandchildren, as we've heard today. It has ripped a hole in their soul destroying a special part of their very essence. Any person who is a parent defines themselves foremost as such. It is their existence and purpose of being. And it has been stolen from these parents.
None of us have experienced the loss these victims have in the unspeakable way that they have, and therefore none of us can, nor should we question the way in which they have handled their loss. Whether that be in private mourning moved as far as possible from this media circus. Or in front of a camera demanding retribution with the loudest megaphone.
I've listened intently to the stories and pain that have been shared today. With great awe at the courage and resilience of the surviving family members of those wonderful children. I've listened also to the surviving roommates uh both in person and through, uh, their friends. And I can't think of how frankly courageous they have been despite the hell that they have faced. By uncaring people. Who have come up with all kinds of crazy theories. About two kids simply being kids.
The parents, siblings, siblings, and other family members who have spoken today are designated as victims in our legal system, but going forward, I hope that they can shed that label as it gives too much power to the evil that condemned them to that role. They are and should be known as survivors, fighters, and foremost as witnesses to the tremendous lives of value and unbounded promise of these four young people.
But those speaking today and those who did not speak but who carry the same burden, this same loss now carry forward the memories of these now perpetually young people, these forever children. These survivors carry the responsibility of ensuring that the voices. Of these children Mattie, Kayley, Zanna, and Ethan are never forgotten. And the positive impacts that they have had on so many lives are never minimized and that the love they shared, the light that they shined on to others is forever celebrated.
As we sit here today, this case is ending, and we are now certain who committed these unspeakable acts of evil, but we don't know, and we, what we may never know is why. I share the desire expressed by others to understand the why, but upon reflection it seems to me, and this is just my own opinion. That by continuing to focus on why we continue to give Mister Coburger relevance. We give him agency and we give him power. The need to know what is inherently not understandable makes us dependent upon the defendant to provide us with a reason, and that gives him the spotlight, the attention, and the power he appears to crave.
Yet even if I could force him to speak, which legally I cannot, how could anyone ever be assured that what he speaks is the truth. Do we really believe after all this he's capable of speaking the truth or of giving up something of himself to help the very people whose lives he destroyed. Rather, I suspect the so-called reason would be dished out in enticing, self-serving, and aggrandizing untruthful bits, leaving, leaving people wanting more information, more insight, and thus enhancing even further the power he seeks to hold. Even if we could get truthful insight into his why, I suspect it would not in any way quench one's thirst for actually understanding why in the first instance. Because there is no reason for these crimes that could approach anything resembling resembling rationality. No conceivable reason could make any sense. And in the end, the more we struggle to seek explanation for the unexplainable, the more we try to extract a reason, the more power and control we give to him.
In my view, the time has now come to end Mr. Coalburger's 15 minutes of fame. It's time that he be consigned to the ignominy and isolation of perpetual incarceration. I know there has been concern about him collaborating on books or movies or other media projects, and I truly hope that someone does not stoop to affording him this spotlight that he desires in the name of clicks. Royalties or profits. Well, criminal behavioralists should study him away from the spotlight in an attempt to prevent other would-be killers from acting on their worst impulses. There should be no need for that to spill over into the public eye.
The great Idaho jurist Edward Lodge was known for trying to find something positive about every person he ever sentenced. And with over a half a century as a trial judge, I was a lot of people. This was often challenging, and I recall in one case he said that the best he could come up with was the defendant had good penmanship. Truth be told, I am unable to come up with anything redeeming about Mister Coburger because his grotesque acts of evil have buried and hidden anything that might have been good or intrinsically human about him. His actions have made him the worst of the worst. Even in pleading guilty, he is giving nothing hinting of remorse or redemption, nothing suggesting even a recognition or understanding, let alone regret for the pain that he has caused. And therefore I will not attempt to speak about him further other than to simply sentence him. So that he is forever removed from civilized society.
And Accordingly, based upon his conduct and based upon the record before this court. Recognizing the standards that govern this Court's sentencing decisions as set forth in State B. Toohill, I hereby sentence Mister Coburger as follows on count one, burglary. 10 years fixed, 00 years indeterminant. I also impose a fine of $50,000. Count 2 1st degree murder of Madison Mogan. I sentence the defendant to a fixed term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a fine of $50,000. And a civil penalty of $5000 payable to the family of the victim. On count three, for first degree murder of Kayla Gonzalves, I sentenced the defendant to a fixed term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a fine of $50,000 and a civil penalty of $5000 payable to the victim of the family. Or to the family of the victim, pardon me on count four for the first degree murder of Zanna Carnotel, I sentenced the defendant to a fixed term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a fine of $50,000 and a civil penalty of $5000 payable to the family of the victim. On count 5 of the first degree murder of Ethan Chapin, I sentenced the defendant to a fixed term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, a fine of $50,000 and a civil penalty of $5000 payable to the family of the victim. The sentences on counts 1234, and 5 shall run consecutively to one another.
Restitution will be left open for 60 days. Defendant will be uh required to submit a DNA sample and a right thumbprint impression to the Department of Corrections and comply with the DNA Database Act. I I remand the defendant to the custody of the Iowa State Board of Corrections for to be imprisoned in an appropriate facility and execution of the sentence where he will remain until he dies. Though you've waived your right to appeal, you do have a right to file a notice of appeal, and any such appeal must be filed within 42 days the date of the written judgment. Uh, which will, uh, be entered, uh. Shortly hereafter. Though the appeal, you should be aware, may be deemed a violation of the plea agreement and so I certainly uh suggest you discuss that with counsel, uh, if that is your desire.
I ask the uh. Media and public present to allow the families to uh be escorted out first before they leave. Um, again, uh thank you to everyone for your stories today. I am strengthened by them, and I am encouraged by your humanity and strength, and God bless you. We're journey.