Bryan Kohberger, convicted of the murders of four University of Idaho students, has again sought to draw attention by claiming innocence and demanding a trial, a move that sources say is causing further distress to the victims' families.
Kohberger pleaded guilty in June 2025 to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary for the November 2022 slayings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in their Moscow home. The conditions of his plea agreement stipulated that he would forgo the right to appeal and the possibility of parole in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. Now, he has filed a petition challenging his conviction, asserting an "absolute claim of innocence" and alleging he was misled into the guilty plea by "false promises and blatant disinformation."
Legal analysts suggest his attempt to reverse his plea has little chance of success. Alivea Goncalves, sister of victim Kaylee, expressed frustration, stating that the justice system allows perpetrators to "re-victimize their victims." She added that Kohberger "should never, ever, ever have that power ever again."
According to Vicky Ward, co-author of "The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy," Kohberger's actions are a deliberate manipulation intended to control the narrative and further torment the families. "He is trying to control the narrative, and that is right from his playbook," Ward told The Post. "We know how manipulative he is, and, to some extent, reversing the plea puts him in the driver’s seat for the moment."
Ward noted that Steve Goncalves, father of victim Kaylee, has expressed resignation, stating it "doesn’t feel great to be proven right" about his family's fears that Kohberger would attempt to circumvent the legal system. Ward also indicated that some parents have been left in tears by Kohberger's latest move, particularly those of victim Madison Mogen, who had been assured by the prosecution that Kohberger would never see the outside of prison.
Kohberger, described by Ward as an "anti-social incel with very dark views about women," has never publicly explained his motives for the killings and showed no remorse in court. Ward believes that if Kohberger were granted a trial, it might offer an opportunity for him to answer questions about his motives, though she doubts he would confess. "He’s not going to say he did it. He’s a pathological liar and sociopath," she stated, adding that it is "unlikely that the families will ever have, quote unquote, ‘closure.’ "
For the families of Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, the hope is that the judge will reject Kohberger's petition. Ward speculates that Ethan's parents, Stacy and Jim Chapin, may choose to ignore the legal proceedings to focus on the lives of their other children. "My sense of the Chapins, and this is speculation, even though I know them very well, is that they will ignore this, roll their eyes and get on with their lives," Ward said.
Despite Kohberger's attempts to challenge his conviction, Ward remains confident that the authorities apprehended the correct individual. "There’s no doubt in my mind, having spent a lot of time talking to the police chief, that they got the right guy," Ward said. She added that Kohberger's current actions are likely driven by his dislike of incarceration. "He’s a very antisocial, sort of a misfit, not somebody who does well around other people. I’m sure he doesn’t like being locked up in prison."