Bryan Kohberger is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea in the murders of four Idaho college students, alleging that he was misled by his legal team and that "exculpatory discovery" was withheld. The claims are detailed in a handwritten affidavit filed by Kohberger himself.
Kohberger, who pleaded guilty in June 2025, contends that "coercion, disinformation, false promises, and the withholding of exculpatory discovery" influenced his decision to admit to the crimes. His petition specifically mentions "clumps of hair" found in the hands of Ethan Chapin, one of the victims. Kohberger also claims his lawyers used "fabricated" descriptions of death row conditions to pressure him into accepting the plea deal.
The plea agreement spared Kohberger, a former PhD criminology student at Washington State University, from a potential death sentence. However, it also meant he did not have to publicly disclose his motive for the killings.
Prosecutors had presented substantial evidence against Kohberger, including genetic material, surveillance footage, and eyewitness testimony from surviving roommates. Legal precedent allows for the withdrawal of a guilty plea if a defendant can demonstrate that they received ineffective counsel.
The families of victims Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen have expressed differing views on the plea deal. Steve Goncalves, father of Kaylee Goncalves, stated that his family opposed the plea bargain. Conversely, the families of Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle supported the agreement, aiming to avoid a protracted and potentially distressing trial. Kohberger's plea was made after being asked multiple times if he admitted guilt during the hearing, to which he responded affirmatively.