Bryan Kohberger, accused in the quadruple murder of four University of Idaho students, is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel and coercion. A former forensic expert retained by Kohberger's defense is now raising questions about hair evidence recovered from the crime scene.
Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to the murders of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022. He received a sentence of four consecutive life terms without parole, plus an additional 10 years for burglary. His recent petition for post-conviction relief aims to overturn these pleas, asserting he was coerced into accepting the agreement and that his legal team failed to present potentially exculpatory evidence.
The petition specifically references hair evidence found under where Chapin’s right hand was photographed in Kernodle’s bed, affixed to the bed frame by dried blood. Forensic expert Brent Turvey, who examined the evidence before Kohberger's sentencing, stated that the FBI laboratory analysis excluded Kohberger as the source of these hairs. "The FBI lab said Kohberger is excluded. This is not his hair," Turvey told Fox News Digital.
The hairs, described as a mix of light and dark brown and appearing to be between three and four inches long, were observed by Turvey when he traveled to Moscow to review evidence in person. More than two dozen strands were visible in a photograph. It remains unclear who the hairs belong to or if all were tested. Fox News Digital has not independently verified the complete laboratory documentation regarding Turvey's statement.
According to People, another DNA expert hired by Kohberger's defense reportedly tested at least one hair sample found in Chapin’s hand and determined it matched Chapin. It is not confirmed if this was the same hair evidence discussed by Turvey.
These hairs were first mentioned publicly in Christopher Whitcomb’s book "Broken Plea," which Kohberger referenced in a recent interview. Kohberger also detailed the hair evidence in his post-conviction relief petition.
Turvey suggested that Kohberger's petition brings up broader issues beyond the hair evidence, arguing the court should thoroughly investigate the claims of coercion and inadequate legal representation. "Everybody involved needs to be put under oath, starting with Anne Taylor and her legal team," Turvey stated, referring to Kohberger's former lead attorney. He added that the court should examine Kohberger's evidence concerning these accusations and that Taylor and her co-counsel should answer difficult questions about why they allegedly attacked experts and failed to address claims of guilt from the start.
Turvey has previously had a public disagreement with Kohberger's former defense team. Taylor and co-counsel had accused him of violating a confidentiality agreement and expressed dismay at his public comments, which Turvey denied involved disclosing confidential information. Fox News Digital's request for comment from Taylor did not immediately receive a response.
Shanon Gray, an attorney representing the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves, downplayed the significance of the hair evidence. "If he's talking about the hairs, that's not exculpatory evidence," Gray told Fox News Digital. He noted that the defense was aware of this evidence and that it only suggested the potential presence of another individual, not Kohberger's absence from the scene. Gray also pointed out that the defense had access to this information for some time. The FBI declined to comment when contacted by Fox News Digital. Kohberger has not responded to communications from Fox News Digital.