An Idaho judge has scheduled two court dates in 2027 for Bryan Kohberger as he seeks post-conviction relief and asks to withdraw his guilty pleas in the murders of four University of Idaho students. Judge Steven Hippler set a status conference for June 3, 2027, followed by an evidentiary hearing on June 17. Prosecutors had asked the court to dismiss the petition without holding a hearing. Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 under an agreement that spared him the possibility of the death penalty.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Judge schedules two 2027 hearings |
| 2) | Kohberger challenges his guilty pleas |
| 3) | The murders and underlying evidence |
| 4) | Plea agreement and potential legal consequences |
| 5) | Officials prepare for the next stage |
Judge schedules two 2027 hearings
The order by Steven Hippler, who accepted Kohberger’s guilty pleas in July 2025, establishes two separate proceedings in Idaho. The status conference on June 3 is expected to address the posture of the petition and procedural issues. The evidentiary hearing, set for June 17, would provide an opportunity to examine claims and supporting material if the court proceeds with that phase.
The dates were set despite prosecutors’ request that the post-conviction petition be dismissed without a hearing. The court’s decision does not determine whether Kohberger will succeed. It allows the challenge to move forward to scheduled consideration in 2027.
Kohberger challenges his guilty pleas
Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to killing Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. About a year later, he filed a handwritten petition dated July 27, 2026, asking to withdraw the pleas and asserting that he was innocent.
Kohberger alleged that his former defense attorneys, Anne Taylor, Elisa Massoth and Bicka Barlow, persuaded him to make a false confession. He also claimed they did not tell him about potentially exculpatory discovery, including hair found at the crime scene that was not tested for DNA. The hair was reportedly excluded as Kohberger’s through physical analysis. His new attorney had not immediately provided comment.
“Convinced to falsely confess”
The murders and underlying evidence
The four students were killed in a November 2022 attack at an off-campus house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho. Authorities said Kohberger’s DNA was found on a knife sheath recovered from a bed where two victims were located.
Investigators also tracked Kohberger’s vehicle traveling to and from the area, according to the case account. His phone was turned off during the killings, but prosecutors indicated that other evidence supported the conclusion that he drove to and from the crime scene. A former defense expert, Sy Ray, separately alleged that investigators had additional damaging evidence that was not introduced before the guilty plea.
Plea agreement and potential legal consequences
The July 2025 plea agreement spared Kohberger from a possible death sentence. Steven Hippler later sentenced him to four consecutive terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, along with an additional 10-year term.
The agreement required Kohberger to waive his right to appeal. That waiver does not prevent him from pursuing post-conviction relief, a separate legal process that can challenge the validity of a conviction or plea. Depending on the court’s findings, such proceedings can potentially lead to further review, reopening of the case or a new trial, although filing the petition does not guarantee any of those outcomes.
Officials prepare for the next stage
The scheduled hearings will give the court and the parties a framework for examining Kohberger’s allegations. Prosecutors will have an opportunity to oppose the petition, while Kohberger’s legal team can present arguments and evidence supporting the request to withdraw the pleas.
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said after the petition was filed that his office was prepared to take whatever action was necessary to ensure justice was carried out. The proceedings will take place in Idaho, where the murders, prosecution and original sentencing occurred.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A status conference is scheduled for June 3, 2027. |
| 2 | An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for June 17, 2027. |
| 3 | Kohberger seeks to withdraw guilty pleas entered in July 2025. |
| 4 | The plea agreement avoided a potential death sentence. |
Summary
The 2027 hearings will determine how Kohberger’s post-conviction challenge proceeds, not whether his convictions are automatically overturned. His petition raises claims about his defense representation, the guilty pleas and crime-scene evidence. Prosecutors oppose holding a hearing, while the court has ordered the matter to continue to scheduled proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the hearings scheduled?
The status conference is set for June 3, 2027, and the evidentiary hearing is scheduled for June 17, 2027.
Why is Kohberger seeking to withdraw his guilty pleas?
He claims his former defense team persuaded him to falsely confess and failed to disclose potentially exculpatory discovery, including untested hair evidence.
What sentence did Kohberger receive?
He received four consecutive life sentences without parole plus an additional 10-year term after pleading guilty in July 2025.
Does the appeal waiver prevent post-conviction relief?
No. The plea agreement waived his right to appeal, but he can still seek post-conviction relief, which may challenge the validity of the plea or conviction.
