Bryan Kohberger’s Plea-Agreement Challenge Moves Toward June 2027 Hearings

Court records show that a status conference is scheduled for June 3, 2027, followed by an evidentiary hearing roughly two weeks later. The hearings are part of Judge Steven Hippler’s procedural review of Bryan Kohberger’s petition to reopen his case after he entered a guilty plea for the 2022 University of Idaho killings.

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On November 13, 2022, Kohberger fatally stabbed four University of Idaho students—Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen (21)—in Moscow, Idaho. After initially pleading not guilty, he agreed to a plea deal in July 2023 to avoid the death penalty, publicly admitting responsibility at that time. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

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In a post-conviction relief filing submitted in late August 2026, Kohberger claims his plea was the result of “threats,” “false promises,” and “wrong information.” He alleges ineffective assistance of counsel, asserts that his defense team failed to disclose or review exculpatory evidence, and contends he received a “gross misrepresentation” of what a life sentence and death-row prospect in Idaho would entail. Although he waived the right to appeal as part of the original plea, the filing states that waiver does not bar a new challenge to the plea agreement’s validity.

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Judge Hippler, who oversaw the original guilty plea, has not issued a substantive ruling on the petition but has scheduled the procedural hearings to consider the claims. Kohberger’s attorney declined to comment when approached for a statement. CNN’s attempts to reach the victims’ families for comment have also not yielded a response.

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• “Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?” — Judge Hippler — Judge Steven Hippler

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*This article reflects the factual record as reported in the court filings and scheduling notices.*

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