Nearly a year after pleading guilty in the 2022 Idaho student case, Bryan Kohberger is now attempting to overturn the plea that resulted in four consecutive life sentences without parole.

KOHBERGER WANTS TO TAKE BACK HIS PLEA

Kohberger filed a handwritten peтιтion for post-conviction relief in July 2026, arguing that his guilty plea was not entered knowingly or voluntarily.

He alleges that his former defense attorneys pressured him into accepting the agreement, made promises about prison conditions and failed to properly disclose or review information that he believes could have helped his case.

Kohberger has also claimed that he was persuaded to falsely confess despite maintaining that he was innocent. These are his allegations, and they have not been established by a court.

HE PREVIOUSLY TOLD THE JUDGE THE PLEA WAS VOLUNTARY

The new challenge comes after Kohberger gave repeated ᴀssurances during his 2025 plea proceedings that he understood the agreement and was entering the plea voluntarily.

Under the agreement, prosecutors agreed not to seek the d#ath penalty. Kohberger ultimately received four consecutive life sentences without parole, plus a 10-year sentence for burglary.

Idaho law requires a defendant seeking to withdraw a guilty plea after sentencing to establish “manifest injustice.” That can involve showing that the plea was involuntary or that serious consтιтutional errors affected the proceedings.

A COURT HEARING IS NOW ON THE CALENDAR

A judge has scheduled a status conference for June 3, 2027, followed by an evidentiary hearing beginning June 17, 2027.

Kohberger’s new legal team is also seeking to remove Judge Steven Hippler from the post-conviction proceedings. A separate hearing on that request is scheduled for October 15, 2026.

Prosecutors have argued against allowing Kohberger’s legal team broad discovery, accusing them of searching for new arguments to support the effort to withdraw the plea.

HIS FAMILY SUPPORTS THE LEGAL CHALLENGE

Kohberger’s family has publicly said it supports his decision to pursue post-conviction relief, while also expressing sympathy for the families of the four University of Idaho students.

Their statement does not change Kohberger’s legal status. He remains convicted and is serving his four consecutive life sentences while the post-conviction proceedings continue.

SO, COULD THE SENTENCES ACTUALLY BE UNDONE?

Potentially, but not simply because Kohberger has asked.

The court would first have to determine whether he meets Idaho’s legal standard for withdrawing the plea. If the plea were ultimately vacated, the case could proceed differently, but the current filings have not erased his convictions or sentences.

For now, Kohberger remains convicted, while his legal team attempts to convince the court that his 2025 guilty plea should not stand.

The next major development is expected from the upcoming hearings — with the larger evidentiary proceeding currently scheduled for June 2027.

Source: [ABC News — Kohberger’s family supports his post-conviction challenge]ABC News | [ᴀssociated Press/Washington Post — Kohberger seeks to withdraw guilty plea]The Washington Post | [ABC News — 2027 evidentiary hearing]ABC News