Kohberger seeks to withdraw guilty plea for Idaho student murders
by Joe Fisher · UPIJuly 27 (UPI) -- Bryan Kohberger, the man who was convicted last year of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death, is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea on Monday to go to trial, The New York Times reported.
Kohberger told The New York Times in an interview that he has filed a petition to challenge his conviction, arguing that he is innocent.
"My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn," Kohberger said in a statement to The New York Times.
Kohberger has filed a post conviction relief form in the Idaho court system.
Kohberger pleaded guilty to the November 2022 killings of 21-year-old Madison Mogen, 21-year-old Kaylee Goncalves, 20 year-old Ethan Chapin and 20-year-old Xana Kernodle in Moscow, Idaho. As part of the plea, Kohberger admitted to killing the students.
Kohberger did not divulge a motive for the killings when he pleaded guilty. During his hearing last year, the judge asked him "Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?" Kohberger responded, "Yes."
Kohberger is serving four life sentences.
"My heart goes out to the families of Madison, Kaylee, Xana and Ethan, who have already endured unimaginable loss and now must face today's deeply painful news," Raul Labrador, Idaho attorney general, said in a statement to CNN.
Labrador added that his office is "ready to do whatever is necessary to ensure that justice is fully carried out."