Bryan Kohberger’s legal battle has taken another unexpected turn more than a year after he pleaded guilty in the killings of four University of Idaho students.

Kohberger is now seeking to withdraw that guilty plea and challenge his convictions, arguing that his defense attorneys gave him ineffective ᴀssistance and pressured him into accepting the plea. In his peтιтion, he claims he was persuaded to falsely confess and says he wants the opportunity to have the case heard at trial.

Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four counts of first-degree murder and received four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. The plea agreement removed the possibility of a death sentence.

Now, his post-conviction challenge is moving through the Idaho courts. Judge Steven Hippler has set an evidentiary hearing for June 17, 2027, where the court is expected to consider the legal claims surrounding Kohberger’s plea. Prosecutors have opposed his request for post-conviction relief.

Kohberger is also asking for Judge Hippler to be removed from the case. A hearing on that request, along with his request to move the proceedings back to Latah County, is scheduled for October 15, 2026.

His family has publicly backed the legal challenge, saying they want the “complete and unvarnished truth” to emerge through the court process. At the same time, the families of the four victims continue to live with the consequences of the 2022 killings.

For now, Kohberger’s convictions and four life sentences remain in place. His request to withdraw his plea has not been granted, and the upcoming hearings will determine how his post-conviction challenge proceeds.

SOURCE: PEOPLE – Bryan Kohberger’s family backs his legal challenge · ABC News – Kohberger seeks to withdraw guilty plea