Bryan Kohberger, implicated in the murders of four University of Idaho students, is trying to revoke his prior guilty plea. His post-conviction petition cites ineffective counsel, coercion, and false promises. He seeks a new trial.
The victims’ families, including Kaylee Goncalves’ mother, expressed disappointment. Yet, they were not surprised by this legal move.
A forensic expert previously retained by Kohberger’s defense questions hair evidence found at the crime scene. However, a lawyer for one victim’s family states the evidence does not clear Kohberger.
Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 to the murders of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022. He received four consecutive life sentences without parole, plus ten years for burglary.
Recently, Kohberger filed for post-conviction relief, claiming coercion in accepting the plea deal and failure by his attorneys to communicate potentially exculpatory evidence. The petition mentions hair evidence found during the investigation.
A forensic scientist, Brent Turvey, examined the state’s evidence before sentencing. Turvey discovered hair affixed to a bed frame, near Chapin’s hand, fastened by dried blood.
The FBI lab excluded Kohberger as a match for the hair, according to Turvey. It’s unclear who the strands belonged to or if all were tested.
A DNA expert hired by Kohberger’s defense tested at least one hair sample from Chapin’s hand, confirming a match to Chapin. Whether this sample aligns with the evidence Turvey mentioned is unclear.
The hairs were publicly described in Christopher Whitcomb’s book “Broken Plea.” Kohberger referenced these in a New York Times interview and his petition for post-conviction relief.
Turvey argues Kohberger’s filing raises questions beyond the hair evidence. He contends the court should examine allegations of coerced pleas and poor legal representation.
Turvey called for everyone involved, starting with Anne Taylor and her team, to testify under oath. He emphasized the need for the court to investigate Kohberger’s accusations seriously.
Shanon Gray, representing Kaylee Goncalves’ family, downplayed the hair evidence’s significance. He noted the defense had long been aware of the evidence.
Gray stated the evidence only suggested another person might have been present, not that Kohberger wasn’t there. The FBI declined to comment.