Bryan Kohberger is seeking to withdraw the guilty plea that spared him from the death penalty, now claiming he is innocent of murdering four University of Idaho students.
Kohberger, 31, broke his silence in a statement and telephone interview with The New York Times, nearly 13 months after admitting to killing Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.
“My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn,” Kohberger wrote in his statement.
“Circumnavigated by a broken plea, the trial never provided the public the clarity conducive to closure, and justice shall remain abjectly miscarried unless that plea is withdrawn,” he continued, reportedly calling the authorities’ account of the case “myopic” and “a work of fiction.”
Kohberger told the Times that problems arose during the negotiations that led him to plead guilty.
“Why am I breaking my silence?” he said. “A lot went wrong in those plea discussions. I really do want to be heard.”
Kohberger reportedly prepared his own petition seeking to reopen the case and plans to request a court-appointed attorney. He did not publicly identify the “false promises” he claims were made or explain the alleged “disinformation” behind his plea.
The move represents a stunning reversal from Kohberger’s sworn statements in court on July 2, 2025.
At that hearing, Judge Steven Hippler repeatedly questioned Kohberger to ensure he understood the plea agreement and was admitting guilt voluntarily.
“I want to make sure that your plea is given voluntarily,” Hippler told him, according to the Idaho Statesman’s account republished by East Idaho News. “And I want to make sure that you actually committed the crimes to which you’re pleading guilty, because I don’t want you to plead guilty to a crime you didn’t commit.”
“Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?” the judge asked.
“Yes,” Kohberger answered.
Kohberger also signed a written factual basis formally accepting responsibility for unlawfully entering the students’ off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, and deliberately killing all four victims on Nov. 13, 2022, according to Idaho court records.
The plea agreement removed the possibility of execution and resulted in four consecutive life sentences without parole, plus an additional 10 years for burglary. Kohberger also agreed to waive his right to appeal.
However, Idaho law still allows a prisoner to seek post-conviction relief on certain grounds, including a claim of ineffective legal representation. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that some Sixth Amendment claims may survive an appeal waiver.
Kohberger reportedly has until early September to submit his post-conviction petition. If he successfully withdraws the plea and forces the case back toward trial, prosecutors could once again pursue the death penalty.
The evidence assembled against Kohberger included DNA found on a knife sheath left at the murder scene, surveillance video of a white Hyundai Elantra near the home and cellphone records tracking his movements. The murder weapon was never recovered, and Kohberger has never publicly disclosed a motive.
“Thank you to all who believe in my innocence and continue to critically analyze the case,” Kohberger said, according to TMZ
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
