Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted last year for the 2022 killings of four University of Idaho students, has filed to withdraw his guilty plea. He is seeking a new trial, claiming his guilty plea was a result of poor legal advice.
Kohberger was convicted of breaking into a six-bedroom house in 2022 and killing Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, who were all in their early 20s. The victims were found with multiple knife wounds, and Goncalves also showed signs of asphyxiation and blunt force trauma.
In a statement shared with the New York Times, Kohberger declared his intention to enter a not guilty plea, stating, “My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn.”
Kohberger formally filed for post-conviction relief on Monday in Ada County district court and is representing himself. It is uncommon for serious convictions to be overturned after a guilty plea, though challenges can be made based on new evidence or negligent legal defence.
The Goncalves family criticised Kohberger's attempt to challenge his conviction, while Idaho attorney general Raúl Labrador stated his office is ready to ensure justice is carried out. Kohberger, a former Washington State University doctoral student, is serving four consecutive life sentences without parole, plus an additional 10 years for a burglary conviction.