Bryan Kohberger seeks judge’s removal in escalating bid to undo guilty plea
Bryan Kohberger is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea for the murders of four University of Idaho students, arguing he was coerced into a false confession.
TL;DR
- Bryan Kohberger, convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and felony burglary, is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea.
- His new attorney, Gregory Rauch, filed motions to disqualify Fourth Judicial District Judge Steven Hippler and change the venue from Ada County.
- Kohberger claims he is innocent and blames his former defense team for pressuring him into a false confession.
- The motion to disqualify Judge Hippler cites concerns about his impartiality, referencing statements made during sentencing where the judge questioned Kohberger's credibility and called him a "faceless coward."
- The defense argues that the trial schedule made it impossible to adequately prepare, potentially violating Kohberger's right to effective representation.
- The venue change request argues that moving the hearings to Latah County, where the murders occurred, would serve the convenience of witnesses and promote justice.