Why Parents of Murder Victim Ethan Chapin Support Bryan Kohberger Plea Deal: 'I Wanted to Do a Handstand'

The parents of Ethan Chapin discussed why they support the plea deal prosecutors made with their son’s killer Bryan Kohberger during an emotional interview on Today.

Jim and Stacy Chapin said they finally have “closure” now that Kohberger will be spending the rest of his life in prison without the ability to appeal the verdict or the sentence he is given by the judge at his hearing on July 23.

Recalling the moment they learned about the deal, Jim said: “If I could physically do a handstand at that time, I would probably do one, Because I am so ready for it to be done.”

Ethan was likely not one of Kohbeger’s intended victims when he arrived at the Moscow home where he was staying with his girlfriend, Xana Kernodle, in the early morning house of Nov. 13, 2022.

Prosecutors believe, however, that a chance encounter between Kernodle and the killer led Kohberger to murder her and then her sleeping boyfriend.

The couple admitted that their “initial response was an eye for an eye,” but that their feelings began to shift over time as they spoke with prosecutors and watched the case play out.

They now are both convinced the state and Kohberger reached a “better deal” — not only for them, but mostly for their twin son and daughter, who were triplets prior to their brother’s death.

“There were so many kids, including our own, that had been subpoenaed that no longer have this hanging over their heads. I mean, we just all get to go live our life,” Stacy said.

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The couple also spoke about coming face-to-face with Kohberger for the first time during his plea hearing on July 2.

Stacy said Kohberger sounded “cold and calculated and almost like an automated phone message” when he spoke in court that day.

“You expected some — I don’t know — some remorse, emotion, something, and there was just zero,” Stacy said.

Then came the moment when Kohbeger was asked by the judge: “Did you kill and murder Ethan Chapin?”

Stacy held back tears but maintained her composure while recalling how it felt to be sitting just a few feet away as her son’s killer confessed to his murder.

“When they have to read through the charges it was like, ‘Ohhhhhhh, here we go,'” Stacy said. “I had to take a little – that one was tough, That’s a tough listen.”

The parents say they and their surviving children are now dedicated to honoring the amazing person they lost.

Each member of the family has a tattoo to remember Ethan, and a charity set up by his parents has already handed out more than $100,000 in scholarship money to 90 students.

The Chapins were also asked to address the response from family members of other victims, who have been very public and vocal in denouncing the decision by prosecutors to strike a deal with the murderer.

“Everybody’s entitled to grieve and feel how they want. Yeah, that’s just not how we feel,” Stacy explained.

Jim then added: “He’s going to get what’s coming to him. I really don’t care what happens to the guy. He’s off the streets. He can’t hurt any more kids. And that’s the most important. That’s the most important thing.”

As for their own kid, the Chapins say they speak to Ethan every day when they wake up.

“I have him where I need him,” Stacy said. “In my mind and my heart and my soul.”