BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho judge has established a timeline for Bryan Kohberger as he attempts to withdraw his guilty plea in the murders of four University of Idaho students. Fourth District Judge Steven Hippler, who sentenced Kohberger to life in prison without parole following his guilty plea last year, outlined the case’s guidelines in a written order on Wednesday morning.
Judge Hippler has not granted Kohberger a hearing on his claims related to withdrawing the guilty plea. Instead, he has set a date for next June to consider if an evidentiary hearing is needed. Kohberger, 31, is serving four consecutive life sentences for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen. These crimes occurred in a rental home near the Moscow, Idaho campus in 2022. The guilty plea resulted in prosecutors agreeing not to seek the death penalty.
Last month, Kohberger submitted a handwritten petition requesting permission to retract his plea, alleging his attorneys manipulated him into agreeing to the deal by promising improved prison conditions and instilling fear over life on death row. He provided limited elaboration, claiming the attorneys didn’t disclose or review evidence potentially favorable to his case during plea talks. Kohberger now has a new attorney, Greg Rauch, who has not commented on the case.
Judge Hippler’s written order emphasized the need for both prosecutors and Kohberger’s attorney to strictly follow the Idaho Rules of Court Procedure, specifically the sections concerning admissible evidence. Hippler described the process for objecting to inadmissible evidence and warned that non-compliance could lead to sanctions.
Both parties are required to disclose any potential witnesses, including experts, by the beginning of February. Additionally, a status conference is scheduled for next June.