Idaho Prosecutors Push Back Against Bryan Kohberger's Bid to Disqualify Judge

Idaho prosecutors have filed a response opposing Bryan Kohberger's effort to remove the judge presiding over his case, arguing that the judge's prior statements do not show bias. The filing from Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson on October 7 counters claims that Judge Steven Hippler exhibited bias in his decisions, including comments made during Kohberger's sentencing.

Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, is seeking to withdraw his plea and proceed to trial. His defense team, led by Gregory Rauch, has requested the disqualification of Judge Hippler, citing comments made by the judge when he handed down Kohberger's life sentences. During the sentencing, Judge Hippler described Kohberger as a 'faceless coward' who 'slithered' into the victims' home and 'senselessly slaughtered' them. He also questioned Kohberger's potential credibility if he were to offer an explanation for his actions, stating, 'Do we really believe, after all of this, he is capable of speaking the truth, or of giving up something of himself to help the very people whose lives he destroyed?' The judge added, 'His acts of evil have made him the worst of the worst.'

The defense contends that these remarks demonstrate a bias against Kohberger, particularly concerning his credibility, which they argue will be central to any future proceedings. They also point to the judge's denial of a motion to delay Kohberger's trial in May 2025, arguing that this rushed the proceedings despite the defense stating they were not ready. Kohberger then pleaded guilty six days later.

Prosecutors argue that the motion to disqualify a judge requires proof of actual bias, a bar they assert Kohberger has not met. In their filing, they contend that the defense's claim that a judge denying a pretrial motion would necessitate disqualification is flawed, as it could lead to any judge who denies such a motion in cases resulting in a guilty plea being disqualified from subsequent proceedings. They also argue that the nature of sentencing inherently requires a judge to form strong opinions about a defendant and the appropriate punishment.

Kohberger, then a 27-year-old criminology PhD student at Washington State University, was arrested in Pennsylvania in January 2023, six weeks after the November 2022 murders. He was tracked down through DNA evidence found on a knife sheath left at the crime scene at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho. The victims were Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, all students at the University of Idaho.

After initially fighting the charges, Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 as part of a plea agreement that spared him the death penalty in exchange for life without parole. However, in July of this year, he moved to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming he was misled by his defense team and asserting his innocence.

His family has publicly supported his bid to go to trial, stating their desire for 'the complete and unvarnished truth to be told.' Kohberger's new defense attorney has until November 13, the four-year anniversary of the murders, to file an amended petition for a new trial.

This legal battle unfolds as Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson, who led the prosecution of Kohberger, announced his retirement after 34 years. Thompson had delayed his retirement plans to see the Kohberger prosecution through but has now stepped down.

The motion to disqualify Judge Hippler is scheduled to be argued in a virtual hearing on October 15.