Bryan Kohberger, convicted last year for the murders of four University of Idaho students in Moscow, is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea and request a new trial, claiming he is innocent and was misled during plea negotiations. Kohberger, 31, who accepted a plea deal in July 2025 that resulted in four consecutive life sentences without parole, has filed a petition challenging his conviction, alleging ineffective counsel and deception during the plea process.

In a recent interview and statement from Idaho’s Maximum Security Institution, Kohberger described the plea agreement as based on “false promises and blatant disinformation” and insisted on his “absolute claim of innocence.” He did not discuss specific evidence or detail his reasons for withdrawing the plea but expressed a desire for unanswered questions to be addressed in a trial setting. Kohberger also requested new legal representation to assist him moving forward.

The case revolves around the November 13, 2022, stabbing deaths of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin in an off-campus apartment. Kohberger’s DNA was found on a knife sheath near the victims, and digital records connected him to the knife involved. Investigators also placed his vehicle near the crime scene, supported by surveillance footage, and his phone records showed it was turned off during the time of the murders. Despite this evidence, Kohberger never provided a motive or detailed confession.

The plea deal, which spared Kohberger a potential death sentence, came after more than two years of court-appointed attorneys challenging the case’s evidence. Kohberger had repeatedly admitted guilt in court, including when asked directly by a judge if he was pleading guilty because he was guilty. The agreement’s acceptance without a trial sparked criticism from some victim family members, who expressed frustration over the lack of explanation for the killings. Kaylee Goncalves’ family opposed the plea deal, stating prosecutors ignored their wishes for a trial, while families of Chapin and Mogen supported it.

Legal experts note that withdrawing a guilty plea post-conviction is uncommon but possible under certain circumstances, such as proof of ineffective counsel or coerced agreement, as established in precedent cases like Hill v. Lockhart. Kohberger’s petition specifically alleges his attorneys failed to disclose exculpatory evidence and made misleading promises regarding prison conditions, which influenced his decision to accept the plea.

The case has also drawn differing opinions among those involved in the defense. Forensic scientist Brent Turvey, who consulted on the defense, has questioned key aspects of the investigation and suggested multiple perpetrators may have been involved. In contrast, Kohberger’s former lawyers have disputed Turvey’s public comments, citing confidentiality and scope of expertise.

Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador expressed sympathy for the victims’ families in a statement following news of Kohberger’s petition and affirmed his office’s commitment to ensuring justice. The Latah County Prosecutor’s Office has not yet commented on the development.

Kohberger’s background includes previous struggles with mental health and substance abuse and an academic career as a criminology student at Washington State University. His arrest and conviction notably closed a high-profile case that had gripped the community and the nation, though many questions about the motive and circumstances remain unresolved.