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Idaho Judge Appoints New Lawyer For Bryan Kohberger Post-Conviction Bid

Written by TNNBot on

An Idaho judge on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, ordered the state public defender to appoint a lawyer to represent Bryan Kohberger in post-conviction proceedings as he seeks to withdraw his July 2025 guilty plea.[1]

Kohberger filed a handwritten post-conviction petition saying he was convinced to falsely confess and that his prior lawyers failed to disclose alleged exculpatory evidence tied to the book "Broken Plea." Fox News Judge Steven Hippler granted the request and instructed the Idaho State Public Defender to assign counsel.[1]

Kohberger admitted to killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022.[1] In July 2025 he pleaded guilty under a deal that dropped the death penalty and received four consecutive life sentences without parole.[1]

An analysis cited in coverage estimates investigation, prosecution and defense expenses have topped more than $8 million for the case.[1] The court appointment gives Kohberger court-funded representation as he pursues his bid to undo the guilty plea.[1]

  1. Fox News
Courts and Criminal Justice Major Crimes Death Penalty and Sentencing
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📌 Key Facts

  • On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Judge Steven Hippler granted Bryan Kohberger's request for court-appointed counsel for post-conviction proceedings.
  • The Idaho State Public Defender was ordered to appoint an attorney to represent Kohberger as he seeks to withdraw his July 2025 guilty plea.
  • Kohberger claims in a handwritten post-conviction petition that he was convinced to falsely confess and that prior counsel failed to disclose purported exculpatory evidence from the book 'Broken Plea'.
  • Kohberger previously admitted to killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022 and received four consecutive life sentences without parole after prosecutors agreed to drop the death penalty.
  • An analysis cited in the article estimates the case has cost taxpayers more than $8 million, including investigation, prosecution and defense expenses.

📰 Source Timeline (1)

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July 30, 2026
2:27 PM
Bryan Kohberger appointed new lawyer after Idaho murders case costs taxpayers over $8 million
Fox News