Could Bryan Kohberger write a book and make money from it? – We Got This Covered

Bryan Kohberger, the man who pleaded guilty to the brutal killings of four University of Idaho students, could legally write a book from prison. But making a profit from it? That’s another matter.

Idaho law would all but guarantee that any money earned through publishing, media rights, or interviews would be seized and redirected to the victims’ families.

Despite the notoriety surrounding Kohberger’s case, he still retains his First Amendment rights. That means he could pen a memoir or account of the crime, even from inside a maximum-security facility.

But while Idaho does not have a formal “Son of Sam” law like some states, which typically prevent criminals from profiting from their crimes, it does allow courts to impose restitution at sentencing.

This provision means any money Kohberger earns through a book or documentary would likely be confiscated and distributed to the families of Kohberger’s victims, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.

The Idaho Department of Correction permits inmates to write, send, and receive mail, and even submit material for publication. However, any attempt to profit from their crimes falls under court scrutiny.

Given the intense public interest and legal fallout of the case, any revenue from a potential book deal would be subject to immediate restitution claims.

Will Kohberger give an interview?

Meanwhile, rumors that Kohberger has already agreed to participate in a televised interview have spread rapidly across social media. Several unverified Facebook posts claim the 29-year-old agreed to an exclusive sit-down as part of an upcoming docuseries, but no reputable outlets have confirmed this.

Journalist Mike Baker and others monitoring the case have emphasized that no credible evidence exists to support these claims. Baker wrote on X, “I see people spreading a rumor that Bryan Kohberger has agreed to a TV interview that would compensate his parents a six-figure sum. A lawyer for his family tells me that is not true.”

The prison where Kohberger is being held—the Idaho Maximum Security Institution—is one of the most restrictive in the state. Inmates are subject to strict visitation rules, constant monitoring, and virtually no access to electronics, making high-profile interviews logistically difficult and legally complex.

Vanity Fair recently reported that prison officials have not approved any media access to Kohberger, and that any future attempt would need clearance from the Idaho Department of Correction, the warden, and potentially the court.

Without that approval, interviews or media appearances would violate prison policy and possibly court orders tied to restitution.

The Kohberger plea deal

Kohberger, a former criminology Ph.D. student, admitted to the November 2022 murders in a plea deal that spared him the death penalty, accepting four consecutive life sentences with no possibility of parole or appeal. Prosecutors said Kohberger signed a written statement admitting to the killings and waived his right to challenge the sentence.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 23, where restitution amounts are expected to be formally addressed. Legal analysts say it is nearly certain the court will demand Kohberger hand over any future earnings, whether from publishing, licensing, or speaking rights.

So while Kohberger could legally write about the crimes that shocked the nation, Idaho law ensures that his story—if ever told—won’t earn him anything.