Bryan Kohberger Seeks to Withdraw Guilty Plea in Idaho Student Murders Case

Bryan Kohberger is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea in the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, as his post-conviction legal challenge moves forward.

Kohberger previously pleaded guilty to killing the four students and was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, along with an additional 10-year sentence for burglary.

In July 2026, Kohberger filed a petition for post-conviction relief challenging his conviction. He alleges that members of his former legal team pressured him into accepting the guilty plea and points to advice and alleged promises concerning prison conditions and the possibility of facing the death penalty.

Judge Sets Potential Hearing Dates

On August 26, 2026, Judge Steven Hippler scheduled a status conference for June 3, 2027. The court also reserved June 17, 2027, for a potential evidentiary hearing if the judge determines that one is necessary.

However, the scheduling order does not mean Kohberger has been granted permission to withdraw his guilty plea.

Prosecutors are seeking to have Kohberger’s post-conviction petition dismissed without an evidentiary hearing, meaning the court could reject his claims without conducting a full hearing on the allegations.

Kohberger Seeks Judge’s Recusal

In another development, Kohberger is asking Judge Hippler to recuse himself from the post-conviction proceedings.

Kohberger’s attorneys argue that certain harsh remarks previously made by Hippler about him could create concerns about whether the judge can fairly oversee the post-conviction process.

A hearing on the recusal request is scheduled for October 15, 2026.

The outcome of that hearing could determine whether Hippler remains assigned to the post-conviction proceedings. Meanwhile, Kohberger’s request to withdraw his guilty plea remains unresolved, and no evidentiary hearing has yet been ordered.

The case is expected to continue through multiple stages as the court considers both the recusal motion and Kohberger’s broader challenge to his guilty plea.

Source: FOX5