Full Breakdown
New Public Defender Assigned as Bryan Kohberger Seeks to Withdraw His Guilty Plea
8/4/2026, 10:10:31 PM
Petition for Post-Conviction Relief
Idaho court records show that public defender Gregory Richard Rauch was appointed on Aug. 3 2024 to represent Bryan Kohberger in a petition seeking to withdraw the guilty plea he entered in July 2025 for the murders of four University of Idaho students—Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. Kohberger alleges ineffective assistance of counsel, claiming his former attorneys made “unkept promises,” threatened him, and failed to disclose what he describes as exculpatory evidence.
Background & Context
Kohberger, a 31-year-old former criminology PhD student, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the death-penalty option, and he received four consecutive life sentences without parole plus a 10-year burglary term. The plea agreement required him to waive his right to appeal.
Data & Statistics
- Four life sentences without parole; 10-year burglary sentence.
- Idaho taxpayers have spent more than $8 million on the case, including $5.5 million for public-defense services now contested by Kohberger.
- The petition could add roughly $2 million in additional costs.
Official Statements & Responses
- Judge Steven Hippler previously asked Kohberger, “Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?” and affirmed the court’s duty to confirm that any plea is entered voluntarily.
- Gregory Rauch told Fox News Digital he had not yet reviewed the petition but plans to discuss it with Kohberger by phone and in person at the prison.
Criticism & Opposition
Family attorneys have sharply criticized the petition, arguing it undermines closure for the victims’ families.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The petition alleges that a piece of potentially exculpatory DNA—hair clumps found in Chapin’s hands—was not disclosed. An FBI analysis found none of the hairs matched Kohberger, while a defense-expert report listed three hairs “morphologically consistent” with Chapin’s own hair. The court has not ruled on the relevance of the hair evidence.
Digital-forensics expert Sy Ray says investigators missed location-data (the “LOCDBOR” report) that could place Kohberger’s phone inside the victims’ home. Another expert, Morgan Wright, has asked to see the LOCDBOR data before evaluating its significance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Petitioner was convinced that actual guilt was not an important factor in considering plea acceptance: death row was imminent, and advised to lie, petitioner was to gain a 'legal victory' in entering a false plea,” — Bryan Kohberger
- “Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?” — Steven Hippler, county district judge
- “It’s going to come down to credibility,” — Adam Ondo, Boise-based defense attorney
- “Show me the report.” — Morgan Wright, digital-forensics expert
