New Twist in Kohberger Case: Defense Warned Weeks Before Guilty Plea That He May Not Have Understood His Options

Newly unsealed court papers allege that Bryan Kohberger’s prior defense team warned a judge weeks before he entered guilty pleas that he was having difficulty understanding rulings and making rational decisions about his case. The assertions appear in a supplemental memorandum filed by Kohberger’s current attorney, Greg Rauch, as part of a bid for post-conviction relief.

Rauch says that roughly five weeks before Kohberger’s plea, his previous counsel told the court they were investigating whether Kohberger could "rationally understand the proceedings, meaningfully incorporate significant developments in the case, and make consequential decisions concerning his defense." That inquiry was part of a May 20, 2025 motion — filed by attorney Anne Taylor — requesting additional time to prepare for trial and to pursue targeted competency and communication evaluations.

Anne Taylor and Bryan Kohberger at his sentencing hearing in July 2025Credit: Kyle Green-Pool/Getty

Judge Steven Hippler denied that request on June 26, 2025, calling the defense arguments speculative and declining to delay the proceedings for what he described as a potential "fishing expedition." Six days later, Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of murder as part of a deal that removed the death penalty as a sentencing option.

From Rauch’s supplemental memorandum: Counsel was "actively investigating Kohberger’s ability to rationally understand the proceedings..." and sought "continued expert assistance" to help communicate critical decisions, Rauch wrote.

Rauch’s filing argues the six days between Hippler’s denial and Kohberger’s plea are central to the post-conviction challenge, particularly whether trial counsel had sufficient time and expert help to ensure Kohberger could knowingly and voluntarily accept the plea. Kohberger’s July petition for post-conviction relief also asserts ineffective assistance of counsel and claims the plea was induced by promises that were not kept.

Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke (l to r)

Background And Current Status

Kohberger, a former criminology student, signed a written factual-basis statement admitting responsibility for the Nov. 13, 2022 stabbings that killed four University of Idaho students — Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. He acknowledged the killings were "willful, unlawful, deliberate, with premeditation and with malice aforethought," according to court documents. On July 23, 2025, Judge Hippler sentenced Kohberger to four consecutive life terms without parole after Kohberger pleaded guilty and agreed not to appeal.

A hearing on whether Judge Hippler should be disqualified from overseeing the post-conviction proceedings is scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Ada County Courthouse. If the court allows withdrawal of the plea and a criminal trial is held, prosecutors could seek the death penalty. Arguments on the post-conviction motion are set for June 2027, although the judge assignment may change depending on the outcome of the October hearing.

What’s At Issue

The defense’s current filings focus on whether trial counsel had adequate time and access to expert evaluations in the critical days before the plea — and whether Kohberger understood the consequences of pleading guilty. Those questions will be central to any effort to withdraw the plea or win relief based on alleged ineffective assistance of counsel.