Bryan Kohberger Wants Judge Removed Over Tears and Remarks at Sentencing
Bryan Kohberger is pushing to remove the judge who sentenced him to life in prison, arguing that the judge's tears and harsh words at sentencing show he cannot be fair as Kohberger tries to undo his guilty plea.
Kohberger, 31, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022: Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20. Now his new legal team wants Judge Steven Hippler off the case.
The Judge's Tears and Words at Sentencing
In a recent filing, court-appointed attorney Greg Rauch pointed to a report that Hippler appeared to wipe away tears at the July 2025 sentencing after hearing from the victims' families, Globe reported, citing a filing obtained by People.
Rauch said the judge's compassion was understandable, but argued that it adds to a "cumulative appearance of partiality."
The filing also takes aim at what Hippler said from the bench. At sentencing, the judge called Kohberger "the worst of the worst" and said he "slithered" into the victims' home. He also questioned whether Kohberger could ever be trusted to tell the truth, asking, "how could anyone ever be assured that what he speaks is the truth?"
Rauch argued those comments "predicted deception in an explanation not yet even given." That matters because Hippler would be the one deciding whether Kohberger's new claims about his plea are believable.
Why Kohberger Wants to Undo His Plea
Kohberger pleaded guilty on July 2, 2025, just weeks before his trial was set to begin. The deal spared him the death penalty, and Hippler sentenced him to four consecutive life terms without parole, plus 10 years.
But in July of this year, Kohberger filed a handwritten petition seeking to withdraw his plea. He claimed it was "not knowingly or voluntarily entered because it was induced by unkept promises" and said his former defense team pressured him into it, Fox News reported.
His new team is also questioning how Hippler handled the case before the plea. In June 2025, the judge turned down former defense attorney Anne Taylor's request for more time to prepare for trial. Six days later, Kohberger pleaded guilty. Rauch argues that short window is central to whether Kohberger fully understood what he was agreeing to.
Rauch said it is not any single issue that raises concerns, but "the extraordinary convergence of all of them."
Kohberger's family has also hired New York attorney Jason Goldman, who said the team's main priority is to "scrutinize the constitutional issues surrounding Bryan's plea."
Prosecutors Push Back
Latah County prosecutors oppose the request. In their filing, outgoing Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson and Deputy Prosecutor Keith Scholl argued that removing a judge requires proof that "the judge is biased."
"In our case, the sentencing remarks are not enough to show bias," they wrote. They argued the judge's comments were not unusual, given that Kohberger had admitted to killing four students.
Prosecutors also noted that during his plea and sentencing hearings, Kohberger admitted his guilt and said he was pleading knowingly and without pressure.
What Happens Next
A hearing on the motion to remove Hippler was set for Thursday, Oct. 15, but the judge abruptly canceled it and said it would be rescheduled, WFMD reported. No new date has been announced, and Hippler has not ruled on the request.
Rauch's amended petition is due Jan. 13, 2027. Arguments on Kohberger's bid to undo his plea have also been pushed back, according to People.
If Kohberger succeeds in withdrawing his plea and the case goes to trial, prosecutors could once again seek the death penalty. Idaho has made the firing squad its preferred method of execution.
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