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Bryan Kohberger seeks to withdraw guilty plea in Idaho murders, prompting reaction from victims' families

Bryan Kohberger has filed a petition to withdraw his guilty plea for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. The 31-year-old defendant, who previously admitted to killing Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, and Madison Mogen, claims his plea was based on "false promises" and "blatant disinformation" from his previous legal team. Kohberger argues that he was induced to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty, but now seeks a trial to prove his innocence. Aubrie Goncalves, the youngest sister of one of the victims, spoke out against the petition, noting that while the plea deal spared the families from a long trial, the new filing feels like a personal setback. The Goncalves family described Kohberger as a "narcissist" for changing his position after two years of review. Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador stated that his office is prepared to do whatever is necessary to ensure justice is fully carried out. A new public defender, Gregory Rauch, has been appointed to represent Kohberger in his bid for a trial.

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