Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty in November 2022 to killing four University of Idaho students, is seeking a new judge and a change of venue as he pursues post-conviction relief, according to reporting by KXLY.
Kohberger is serving consecutive life sentences. Judge Steven Hippler of Ada County presided over the criminal case and imposed the sentence in July 2025. The original case was moved from Latah County to Ada County due to concerns about jury bias and intense public attention in the region where the murders occurred.
Kohberger’s legal team filed a motion this summer for post-conviction relief, claiming his guilty plea was made under false pretenses and that he received inadequate legal counsel. The defense also filed a motion to disqualify Judge Hippler from presiding over the post-conviction proceedings.
The disqualification motion centers on statements Judge Hippler made during sentencing. The judge called Kohberger a “faceless coward” and told the KXLY he “slithered” through a sliding door. Hippler also stated he could identify nothing redeeming about Kohberger and called him “the worst of the worst.”
The defense team had requested a continuance before trial, which Judge Hippler rejected. Kohberger pleaded guilty six days after that denial. At the time of the guilty plea, defense attorney Anne Taylor stated she had adequate time to prepare.
Kohberger’s team separately filed a motion to move the case back to Latah County, citing that legal counsel and most witnesses live in or near that county.
A hearing on the motion to disqualify Judge Hippler is scheduled for October 15th. No date has been set for the motion to change venue. If the case proceeds, Kohberger is expected to argue for post-conviction relief next summer.
The case has drawn significant legal attention. A civil trial is scheduled for 2027 in a wrongful death suit filed by the families against Washington State University, and the families are also heading to federal trial against WSU in 2027.