Bryan Kohberger, convicted of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students, has filed motions to disqualify the judge overseeing his case and to change the venue as he seeks to withdraw his guilty plea. These motions were submitted on Thursday by Kohberger’s newly appointed attorney, Gregory Rauch, following his conviction for first-degree murder.
Kohberger claims innocence and alleges that his defense team led him to make a false confession. The motions request that Fourth Judicial District Judge Steven Hippler be disqualified from Kohberger’s post-conviction proceedings, citing concerns about his impartiality.
The motion states, "This motion does not rest upon one adverse ruling, one harsh statement, or the mere fact that the judge who presided over Bryan Kohberger’s criminal case has been assigned to his post-conviction proceeding. It rests upon the extraordinary convergence of all of them."
Kohberger's original criminal trial was moved to Ada County in 2024 to ensure an impartial jury and adequate resources. However, his attorneys argue that those concerns do not apply to a bench proceeding decided solely by a judge.
Kohberger, 31, pleaded guilty last year to four counts of first-degree murder and a felony burglary charge related to the 2022 stabbing deaths of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. He is now requesting a trial, despite the possibility of facing the death penalty.
The motion to remove the judge focuses on the "constitutional adequacy" of the trial counsel’s preparation. Defense lawyers contend that the capital trial schedule hindered their ability to review the extensive evidence in the case, which they argue threatens Kohberger’s constitutional right to effective representation.
Judge Hippler previously rejected the defense's claims of being unprepared for trial, suggesting that the defense was using the volume of discovery as a delay tactic rather than expressing genuine concern.
The motion also references Hippler’s comments during sentencing, questioning Kohberger’s credibility. The judge referred to Kohberger as a "faceless coward" and described him as "the worst of the worst."
The motion to change the venue seeks to move the proceedings from Ada County, where Kohberger was sentenced, to Latah County, where the murders took place. The motion argues that a transfer is justified in this case to promote the convenience of witnesses and the ends of justice.