Idaho prosecutors are seeking to dismiss Bryan Kohberger's petition to withdraw his guilty plea in the murders of four University of Idaho students, arguing his claims are "bare, conclusory, and unsupported by admissible evidence." Judge Steven Hippler has outlined a timeline for Kohberger's post-conviction relief bid, setting deadlines for filings and a tentative evidentiary hearing for June 2027, though he noted this date is not guaranteed.
Kohberger, who pleaded guilty last year to four counts of first-degree murder and felony burglary in the 2022 stabbing deaths of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, is now alleging ineffective counsel and that his plea was not knowingly or voluntarily entered. He claims the plea was induced by "unkempt promises" and threats from his legal counsel.
However, during his July 2, 2025, change of plea hearing, Kohberger answered "no" when asked if he was forced or coerced into the agreement or if other promises influenced his decision. He also affirmed that nothing would impair his ability to enter the plea voluntarily and that he could make a "reasoned and informed decision."
In a motion filed Tuesday, Deputy Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Keith Scholl asked the judge to dismiss Kohberger's petition outright, stating it fails to raise a genuine issue of material fact and that the respondent is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Scholl argued that Kohberger could have raised his claims of constitutional violations in an appeal, but the plea agreement itself includes a waiver of appellate rights. The motion also asserts that Kohberger's petition lacks factual support for his ineffective counsel claim and that his "freestanding claim of actual innocence" is not recognized under the law. Furthermore, prosecutors stated that defense teams are not obligated to explain the collateral consequences of a guilty plea, such as prison conditions.
Judge Hippler has established several deadlines leading up to the potential June 2027 hearing. Kohberger must file an amended petition by Nov. 13, four years after the murders. Disclosures of witnesses and expert reports are due by Feb. 1, 2027, with the state's rebuttal disclosures due by March 1, 2027. Discovery requests must be completed by May 7, 2027. A status conference is tentatively scheduled for June 3, 2027, with the evidentiary hearing to follow on June 17, 2027. The parties have 14 days from the order's release to request alterations to the schedule. The family of the victims has expressed the pain of reliving the tragedy as Kohberger pursues this legal avenue. Kohberger was appointed a new lawyer to handle his request for post-conviction relief.