Judge Grants Kohberger New Counsel in 4-Murder Plea Fight as Bid Could Revive Death Penalty
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 2
Judge Grants Kohberger New Counsel in 4-Murder Plea Fight as Bid Could Revive Death Penalty
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 2
Summary
Wednesday’s ruling gave Bryan Kohberger a new court-appointed lawyer after his handwritten petition sought to withdraw the guilty plea that spared him death for the 2022 murders of four Idaho students.
Kohberger, 31, claims his former attorneys misled him about death row, told him to lie, and withheld exculpatory evidence, including alleged chain-of-custody issues tied to the 7-inch knife sheath left at the scene.
The only path open to him is post-conviction relief, not a direct appeal he waived in the plea deal; to win a new trial, he must show counsel fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.
Victims’ families say the move reopens trauma but could also restore the death penalty they wanted, while Idaho’s attorney general said the state is prepared to defend the conviction.
Idaho Statesman estimates the case has already cost taxpayers more than $8 million, including $5.5 million for Kohberger’s defense, with another $2 million possible if the petition proceeds.