Bryan Kohberger, the man who pleaded guilty to murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022, has been appointed a new public defender as he seeks to withdraw his plea, alleging his former attorneys convinced him to falsely confess.
Kohberger claims false confession
Kohberger filed a motion claiming his defense team pressured him into a guilty plea despite his denial of actual guilt. He stated they promised life in prison would include immediate contact visits, freedom of movement, and employment, and told him elaborate lies about death row life. He also alleged they failed to disclose exculpatory evidence, such as an unknown hair found in victim Ethan Chapin's hand, which could have helped his case.
Plea deal avoided death penalty
In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty, recommending four consecutive life sentences without parole plus 10 years. Kohberger's original team of four court-appointed attorneys had worked for over two years to remove capital punishment, challenging DNA evidence, citing his autism diagnosis, and suggesting another suspect may exist.
Book raises questions about investigation
The recent book 'Broken Plea' suggests the police investigation may have been botched, the crime scene tampered with, and demands a probe into whether another suspect participated. Kohberger referenced this book in his motion, claiming his attorneys failed to review evidence that could have altered plea discussions.
