Prosecutors say Bryan Kohberger’s new legal team is conducting a “fishing expedition” as it requests broader discovery and more time to identify grounds to withdraw his guilty plea in the November 2022 University of Idaho murders. Kohberger pleaded guilty on July 2, 2025, and received four consecutive life terms plus 10 years. The defense has until November 13 to file an amended post-conviction petition and is also seeking to remove Judge Steven Hippler; a hearing on that motion is set for October 15.
Prosecutors Say Kohberger’s New Lawyers Are ‘Fishing’ For Grounds To Withdraw Guilty Plea
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Prosecutors in Idaho say Bryan Kohberger’s newly retained defense team is conducting an overbroad search for reasons to withdraw his guilty plea in the 2022 University of Idaho killings, calling the effort a “fishing expedition.” The prosecutors' claim appears in a recent court filing disputing the defense’s request for broader discovery and additional time to identify specific grounds for post-conviction relief.
Prosecutors Contest Defense Request
In the filing, Deputy Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Keith Scholl wrote that discovery in post-conviction proceedings does not permit an open-ended search for claims and that the defense is seeking time and materials before committing to stated legal grounds. The filing was reported by Fox News on Sept. 17.
Case Background And Current Status
Bryan Kohberger, 31, pleaded guilty on July 2, 2025, to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary for the November 2022 slayings of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. He received four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 10 years for the burglary conviction.
Under the current schedule, Kohberger’s attorneys have until November 13 to file an amended petition for post-conviction relief. The defense says it needs access to discovery materials before finalizing the amended petition, warning that claims not included by the deadline could be permanently waived.
Latah County Jail/MEGA
Allegations And Motions
In July, Kohberger filed a handwritten petition alleging ineffective assistance of counsel, claiming his former attorneys pressured or misled him into pleading guilty, according to reporting by People. Prosecutors have separately asked Judge Steven Hippler to dismiss that original petition in full.
At the same time, Kohberger’s defense sought Judge Hippler’s removal from the case and requested that proceedings be returned to Latah County, where the killings occurred. A hearing on the motion to remove Judge Hippler is scheduled for October 15.
“Our full support of Bryan’s decision to pursue post-conviction relief does not come from a place of disregard,” Kohberger’s family told ABC News. “Rather, it comes from our family's need to see that the complete and unvarnished truth is told.”
Context
The November 13 deadline for the amended petition falls on the fourth anniversary of the November 2022 murders that deeply affected the University of Idaho community. The dispute over discovery and the defense’s strategy could determine whether the court allows broader investigation into Kohberger’s claims or enforces a tighter post-conviction schedule.
Reporting Note: Key developments and filings were reported by Fox News, People, and ABC News; court filings ultimately control the legal record.
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