Bryan Kohberger’s family support his attempt to withdraw his guilty plea and seek post-conviction relief over the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. They said their backing reflected a desire for the “complete and unvarnished truth” through what they described as a proper trial, while acknowledging the continuing grief of the victims’ families and the Moscow community.

Kohberger pleaded guilty last July to killing Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle, receiving four consecutive life sentences after avoiding a possible death penalty. His petition claims he accepted the plea deal after being wrongly advised by his lawyers and alleges judicial bias; prosecutors argue that he waived his appeal rights, although Idaho law permits a separate post-conviction challenge. A hearing is expected next June, and success could lead to a new trial and potentially restore the death penalty.