Bryan Kohberger's attorney discusses upcoming legal proceedings in Idaho murder case

<p>Bryan Kohberger's new attorney, Jason Goldman, stated that upcoming filings and a potential evidentiary hearing may provide clarity in the Idaho student murders case. The immediate legal focus is on the constitutionality of Kohberger's plea, which he is attempting to withdraw.</p><p>Goldman, who is based in New York, indicated that the amended post-conviction relief (PCR) petition and evidentiary hearing will address some outstanding questions. He emphasized that the primary concern is to examine the constitutional issues surrounding Kohberger's plea.</p><p>Kohberger filed a handwritten petition for post-conviction relief in July, claiming ineffective counsel and asserting that his guilty plea was not made knowingly or voluntarily due to unfulfilled promises and threats from his legal counsel.</p><p>Goldman remarked, "The circumstances surrounding Bryan's plea — and what occurred in the critical days leading up to it — deserve careful, independent judicial scrutiny. Some of those circumstances are already part of the public record. Others are not."</p><p>He noted that Kohberger's family support influenced his decision to join the case, stating, "Most family and friends run for the hills when a loved one is quietly arrested, let alone charged with a highly-publicized murder. The unwavering support Bryan maintains speaks volumes."</p><p>Judge Steven Hippler has set a deadline of November 13 for Kohberger's lawyers to submit an amended petition, which is expected to contain more detailed legal arguments than the initial handwritten submission.</p><p>Idaho defense attorney Greg Rauch was appointed to represent Kohberger last month. Goldman is joining as out-of-state counsel but is not yet officially listed on the docket.</p><p>Prosecutors have requested the judge to dismiss Kohberger's petition on various grounds. In response, Kohberger's lawyers filed a motion to have the judge removed from the case and to change the venue back to Moscow, Idaho, where both Rauch and the Latah County Prosecuting Attorney's offices are located.</p><p>Kohberger had previously sought a change of venue out of Latah County, where the murders occurred, resulting in his case being assigned to Judge Hippler in Ada County.</p><p>Goldman stated, "The motion speaks for itself. We must ensure that the serious constitutional questions at play are heard in a forum whose impartiality and neutrality cannot be questioned."</p><p>The motion, signed by Rauch, questions Hippler's impartiality, citing his refusal to grant Kohberger's former defense team additional time for discovery review prior to trial.</p><p>Rauch also expressed concerns regarding some language used by Hippler to describe Kohberger, specifically a remark about identifying nothing remaining that was 'good or intrinsically human.'</p><p>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 did not provide a motive for the crimes.</p><p>In a motion filed last week, Deputy Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Keith Scholl requested a transcript of Kohberger's July 2, 2025, change of plea hearing, which could be used to counter the new claims in his petition.</p><p>Hippler has set a deadline of November 13 for Kohberger's legal team to file an amended petition and has scheduled two potential dates for a status conference and evidentiary hearing next year. Hearings on the recusal and venue motions may occur before that date.</p><p>Goldman concluded, "We will let the evidence and the filings speak in due course."</p>