Kohberger Seeks to Withdraw Plea and Face Murder Trial

WHO:

NBC News - Bryan Kohberger is the man convicted of killing four University of Idaho students.

Fox News - Kohberger stated, "I have an 'absolute claim of innocence' in my first public remarks outside the courtroom."

Fox News - Kohberger stated, "My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn."

NBC News - Bryan Kohberger is seeking to abandon his guilty plea.

CNN - Bryan Kohberger told The New York Times in an interview from prison that he wants to withdraw his guilty plea.

Fox News - Kohberger called a reporter directly to express his claims of innocence.

Fox News - Bryan Kohberger, 31, claims he was duped into agreeing to a guilty plea deal.

CNN - Bryan Kohberger, convicted of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students.

Fox News - Prosecutors and Kohberger's defense team.

WHAT:

NBC News - Kohberger has publicly declared his intention to retract his guilty plea in the 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students.

Fox News - Kohberger stated, "I have an 'absolute claim of innocence' in my first public remarks outside the courtroom."

Fox News - Kohberger claims he was duped into agreeing to a guilty plea deal because of “false promises and blatant disinformation."

CNN - Kohberger's petition to retract his guilty plea has been publicly revealed, uploaded by New York Times correspondent Mike Baker.

NBC News - Kohberger's petition includes claims that he was misled into confessing to the murders.

CNN - Kohberger's petition to retract his guilty plea has been publicly revealed, uploaded by New York Times correspondent Mike Baker.

Fox News - Kohberger's attorney claims that prosecutors had a "slam dunk" case against him, which led to the plea deal.

NBC News - Kohberger's plea was part of a plea deal, during which he waived his right to an appeal.

Fox News - Kohberger plans to file for post-conviction relief after pleading guilty to killing four University of Idaho students in a 4 a.m. home invasion attack.

US Magazine - Kohberger's petition to retract his guilty plea has been publicly revealed, uploaded by New York Times correspondent Mike Baker.

CNN - Kohberger claims there was an 'exculpatory discovery' in his case before he admitted to slaughtering four Idaho college students.

CNN - Kohberger was convicted last year after entering a guilty plea, during which he publicly admitted to the four killings for the first time.

Fox News - Kohberger's plea, which he changed just a month before jury selection started in his trial, helped him avoid the death penalty, which is still enforced in Idaho.

CNN - Kohberger claims he had ineffective assistance from his attorneys, that his plea was not entered knowingly or voluntarily because it was “induced by unkept promises,” and that his plea was induced by threats from his attorneys.

CNN - Kohberger specifically claims his attorneys didn’t discuss evidence during plea discussions that could help show his innocence, and that his attorneys promised his plea didn’t need to be truthful despite his “vehement denial of actual guilt.”

CNN - Kohberger alleges that his attorneys shared “elaborate lies” of what a life sentence and death row life would look like.

CNN - Kohberger will need to show this through evidence, which might include evidence such as the knife sheath that was left at the scene with DNA on it that was a “statistical match” for Kohberger.

CNN - Kohberger made these statements while he was under oath, which weighs against him in his attempt to withdraw his plea.

Fox News - Kohberger plans to file for post-conviction relief after pleading guilty to killing four University of Idaho students in a 4 a.m. home invasion attack.

US Magazine - Kohberger's petition to retract his guilty plea has been publicly revealed, uploaded by New York Times correspondent Mike Baker.

US Magazine - Kohberger claims there was an 'exculpatory discovery' in his case before he admitted to slaughtering four Idaho college students.

CNN - Kohberger stated he filed a petition to reopen the case and blamed his plea on “false promises” and wrong information.

Fox News - Kohberger's attorney claims that prosecutors had a "slam dunk" case against him, which led to the plea deal.

US Magazine - Kohberger's petition to retract his guilty plea has been publicly revealed, uploaded by New York Times correspondent Mike Baker.

Fox News - Kohberger claims there was an "exculpatory discovery" in his case before he admitted to the murders.

Newsweek - Kohberger has publicly declared his intention to retract his guilty plea in the 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students.

Fox News - Kohberger claims there was an "exculpatory discovery" in his case before he admitted to slaughtering four Idaho college students and argues he should be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea and have a new trial.

Newsweek - Kohberger has publicly declared his intention to retract his guilty plea in the 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students.

Fox News - Kohberger stated he has an "absolute claim of innocence" in his first public remarks outside the courtroom.

Fox News - Kohberger stated, "My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn."

CNN - Kohberger is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea and face trial for the murders.

Newsweek - Kohberger has publicly declared his intention to retract his guilty plea.

Fox News - Kohberger plans to file for post-conviction relief after pleading guilty to the murders.

Fox News - Kohberger is serving four consecutive life sentences with no possibility of parole plus another 10 years for the murders.

WHERE:

Fox News - The murders occurred in a home invasion in Idaho.

WHEN:

US Magazine - Kohberger's petition to retract his guilty plea was uploaded on July 27, 2026.

Fox News - Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025.

Fox News - The murders took place on November 13, 2022.

WHY:

NBC News - Kohberger claims there was a "new discovery" in his case that supports his request to withdraw his guilty plea.

Newsweek - Kohberger claims there was a "new discovery" in his case that supports his request to withdraw his guilty plea.

CNN - Kohberger claims his guilty plea was based on “false promises” and wrong information.

Fox News - Kohberger intends to argue that he had bad counsel.

HOW:

CNN - Kohberger's petition includes claims that he was misled into confessing to the murders.

CNN - Kohberger's attorneys promised he would get certain privileges such as immediate contact visits, freedom of movement, and employment, which he claims were misrepresented.

CNN - Kohberger's petition includes claims that he was misled into confessing to the murders.

CNN - Kohberger's attorneys promised he would get certain privileges such as immediate contact visits, freedom of movement, and employment, which he claims were misrepresented.

NBC News - NBC News legal analyst Misty Marris explains how a post-conviction challenge works in the court system.

US Magazine - Kohberger's petition includes claims that he was misled into confessing to the murders.

NBC News - NBC News legal analyst Misty Marris explains how a post-conviction challenge works in the court system.

Fox News - Kohberger plans to argue that he had bad counsel as part of his petition for post-conviction relief.

CNN - Kohberger filed a petition to reopen the case.

Fox News - Kohberger's guilty plea was part of a plea deal, during which he waived his right to an appeal.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 15:42 UTC)

Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted of killing four University of Idaho students, has announced his intention to retract his guilty plea in the 2022 slayings. In his first public remarks outside the courtroom, Kohberger declared, "I have an 'absolute claim of innocence,'" and he alleges that he was misled into accepting a guilty plea deal due to “false promises and blatant disinformation.” He claims that a "new discovery" in his case supports his request to withdraw the plea, asserting that he was duped into confessing to the murders.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 14:43 UTC)

In a significant development, Kohberger has publicly declared, "I have an 'absolute claim of innocence'" during his first remarks outside the courtroom. His petition to retract his guilty plea, which was uploaded on July 27, 2026, includes allegations that he was misled into confessing to the murders and cites a "new discovery" in his case that supports his request. This petition was made public by New York Times correspondent Mike Baker and has drawn attention from multiple news outlets.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 13:27 UTC)

A petition from Kohberger to retract his guilty plea has been made public, revealing that he plans to seek post-conviction relief after admitting to the murders of four University of Idaho students during a home invasion. His attorney argues that prosecutors had a "slam dunk" case, which influenced the plea deal that included waiving his right to an appeal. Kohberger's petition also claims he was misled into confessing and that promised privileges, such as immediate contact visits and freedom of movement, were misrepresented.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 10:50 UTC)

In a significant development, Kohberger has publicly stated that his "actual innocence is my truth," insisting that his guilty plea, influenced by what he calls "false promises and blatant disinformation," must be withdrawn. His petition to retract the plea has been revealed by New York Times correspondent Mike Baker, and Kohberger claims there was an 'exculpatory discovery' in his case prior to his admission of guilt in the murders of four Idaho college students. Additionally, Kohberger's attorneys allegedly misrepresented the privileges he would receive, including immediate contact visits, freedom of movement, and employment.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 08:50 UTC)

Kohberger, who was convicted last year after entering a guilty plea and publicly admitting to the four killings, is now claiming that he received ineffective assistance from his attorneys. He argues that his plea was not entered knowingly or voluntarily, alleging it was induced by unkept promises and threats from his legal team, who he says failed to discuss evidence that could prove his innocence. Kohberger will need to present evidence to support his claims, including the knife sheath found at the crime scene that matched his DNA, but his statements made under oath may complicate his efforts to withdraw his plea.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 06:45 UTC)

Kohberger plans to file for post-conviction relief after pleading guilty to killing four University of Idaho students during a home invasion. His petition to retract the guilty plea has been made public, revealing that he claims there was an 'exculpatory discovery' in his case prior to his admission of guilt. NBC News legal analyst Misty Marris has explained how a post-conviction challenge works within the court system.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 05:52 UTC)

Kohberger has filed a petition to reopen his case, claiming that he was misled into confessing to the murders due to "false promises" and wrong information. His attorney argues that prosecutors had a "slam dunk" case against him, which ultimately led to the plea deal. This petition to retract his guilty plea has been publicly revealed by New York Times correspondent Mike Baker.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 02:48 UTC)

Bryan Kohberger is seeking to abandon his guilty plea in the 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students, claiming there was an "exculpatory discovery" in his case prior to his admission of guilt. Legal analyst Misty Marris from NBC News has provided insight into how a post-conviction challenge operates within the court system. Kohberger has publicly declared his intention to retract his guilty plea, which adds a new twist to this high-profile case.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 22:20 UTC)

Kohberger is claiming that there was an "exculpatory discovery" in his case prior to his admission of guilt in the slaughter of four Idaho college students, and he is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea to pursue a new trial. NBC News legal analyst Misty Marris provided insights into how a post-conviction challenge functions within the court system. This development could significantly impact the legal proceedings surrounding Kohberger's case.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 21:20 UTC)

Bryan Kohberger has announced his desire to withdraw his guilty plea in the 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students during an interview from prison with The New York Times. He plans to argue that he received inadequate legal counsel as part of his petition for post-conviction relief. This development marks a significant turn in Kohberger's case as he seeks to change the course of his legal proceedings.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 20:21 UTC)

In a surprising move, Kohberger called a reporter to assert his "absolute claim of innocence" in his first public remarks outside the courtroom. He plans to argue that he received inadequate legal counsel as part of his petition for post-conviction relief. This latest development comes as he seeks to challenge the outcome of his trial.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 19:26 UTC)

Bryan Kohberger, who is 31 years old, claims he was misled into accepting a guilty plea deal. He stated, "My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn." In light of this, Kohberger has filed a petition to reopen the case.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 18:25 UTC)

Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students, is now seeking to withdraw his guilty plea and face trial for the murders. He plans to file for post-conviction relief, claiming that his guilty plea was based on “false promises” and wrong information, and he intends to argue that he had bad counsel. Kohberger is currently serving four consecutive life sentences with no possibility of parole, plus an additional ten years, after pleading guilty in July 2025.