Bryan Kohberger Plans to Withdraw Guilty Plea in Idaho College Murders Case

Bryan Kohberger announced his intention to withdraw his guilty plea on July 27, 2026, one year after he was convicted and sentenced for the murders of four University of Idaho students. In a statement to the New York Times, Kohberger expressed his desire to plead not guilty and proceed to trial, indicating that he could face the death penalty if prosecutors choose to pursue it. He claimed he was misled into accepting a 'broken' plea deal and maintained his innocence, stating, 'My actual innocence is my truth.' Kohberger is currently serving four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years without the possibility of parole at a maximum security prison in Idaho. He was convicted of fatally stabbing the students in November 2022 and had waived his right to appeal in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. However, he now intends to seek post-conviction relief. Kohberger has until the first week of September to file for this relief, as defendants in Idaho have one year following the expiration of a 42-day window to appeal their conviction.