BOISE, Idaho – The man convicted of killing four University of Idaho students will get his day in court to plead for a new trial, but he’ll have to wait almost a year to get it.
Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to killing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle in 2022 at a home just off the U of I campus.
With that plea, he saved himself from the death penalty, but also signed away his right to appeal.
Now, though, he’s trying another method.
Kohberger filed a petition for post-conviction relief, a civil process where he’ll try to prove his guilty plea was made under false pretenses.
He filed that petition in late July.
Tuesday, an Ada County judge set his evidentiary hearing for June 17, 2027.
The State of Idaho also filed a motion to dismiss Kohberger’s petition. In its response, the state says Kohberger’s request “fails to raise a genuine issue of material fact.”
The state contends Kohberger fails to show his attorneys did not adequately defend him, which is the basis for his petition.
“Such allegations are bare, conclusory and unsupported by admissible evidence,” writes Latah County Prosecutor William Thompson.
The state wants the judge to dismiss Kohberger’s petition, but it’s not clear if that could happen before the hearing next summer.
Kohberger is serving four consecutive life sentences at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution near Boise.
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