Bryan Kohberger waived his appeal rights but plans on pursuing post-conviction relief: sources

Published July 27, 2026 10:51 AM MST

Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, on July 23, 2025, for sentencing in the University of Idaho murders case, where prosecutors relied heavily on cellphone location data and digital evidence. (Photo by Kyle Green-Poo

The admitted murderer Bryan Kohberger plans to file for post-conviction relief after pleading guilty to killing four University of Idaho students in a 4 a.m. home invasion attack, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Kohberger plans to argue that he had bad counsel.

The New York Times was first to report this story after Kohberger called a reporter directly and claimed that he has an "absolute claim of innocence" in his first public remarks outside the courtroom.

"My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn," he told the outlet.

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Kohberger is serving four consecutive life sentences with no possibility of parole plus another 10 years for the Nov. 13, 2022 murders of Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves after pleading guilty in July 2025.

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As part of the plea deal, he waived his right to an appeal.

This is a breaking news story. Stick with Fox News Digital for updates.

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