Bryan Kohberger, convicted in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, is set to appear in court on October 15 for a hearing concerning his motion to disqualify Judge Steven Hippler and to seek post-conviction relief from his guilty plea. Kohberger's legal team is challenging the judge's impartiality and questioning the voluntariness of the plea.
In July, Kohberger filed a handwritten petition alleging ineffective counsel and claiming his guilty plea was induced by unkept promises and threats from his legal team. This led to the appointment of new attorneys, Greg Rauch and Jason Goldman. The defense expects to file an amended petition by November 13, the fourth anniversary of the murders, which they believe will address outstanding constitutional issues surrounding the plea.
Kohberger pleaded guilty on July 2, 2025, to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, avoiding the death penalty. Judge Hippler subsequently sentenced him to four consecutive life terms without parole, plus an additional 10 years, on July 23, 2025.
The motion to disqualify Judge Hippler, filed on August 27, cites the judge's previous decision to not grant Kohberger's former defense team more time for discovery as a trial date approached. The motion also points to Hippler's remarks during sentencing, describing Kohberger as "someone in whom the Court could identify nothing remaining that was 'good or intrinsically human.'"
Prosecutors are seeking transcripts from Kohberger's guilty plea and sentencing hearings, where he admitted guilt and affirmed the plea was knowing and voluntary. Judge Hippler has also ordered Kohberger's lawyers to explain why a supplemental filing attached to their disqualification motion should be sealed, and to share this filing with the Latah County Prosecutor's office. This document is expected to remain sealed pending justification.
The hearing on the motion to disqualify Judge Hippler is scheduled for October 15 at 1:30 p.m. MT via WebEx. A prior image shows four of the victims: Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.
