Bryan Kohberger says he was tricked into falsely confessing to University of Idaho student murders

BOISE, Idaho – The man who pleaded guilty to killing four University of Idaho students says he is innocent and that he wants to withdraw his plea.

Bryan Kohberger said as much in a statement posted Monday by the New York Times. The article says Kohberger sent the message to the newspaper through a family member.

The statement says, in part, “I hereby declare my intention to enter a not guilty plea, and welcome the State the opportunity to prove their case at trial, as well as to, again, file for the death penalty.”

Kohberger says the plea was “hinged on false promises and blatant disinformation and must be withdrawn.”

He also thanks his family and everyone who has “never wavered” in their belief of his innocence.

Kohberger is serving multiple life sentences for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.

While he’s declared this intent to the newspaper, no new court filings have been made public to support his request to withdraw the plea.

In the guilty plea advisory Kohberger signed when entering his plea in July 2025, Kohberger acknowledged that he was also waiving his right to appeal.

Idaho does allow Kohberger to seek what is called post-conviction relief under Idaho Criminal Rule 39.

This works as a civil case, in which a defendant sues the state.

Ada County court records show Kohberger filed his petition for post-conviction relief Monday.

The affidavit in support of the petition, posted by the New York Times and requested by 4 News Now from the court, is handwritten.

Kohberger says he was convinced to false confess by “coercion, disinformation, false promises, and the withholding of exculpatory discovery.”

He claims there were clumps of hair found in Ethan Chapin’s hands that were never tested and says his attorneys did not tell him that information.

He also says attorneys misrepresented what life in prison would be like versus what conditions would be if he was on death row.

This is a developing story.