Bryan Kohberger’s hearings vacated amid efforts to disqualify judge
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Bryan Kohberger’s upcoming Thursday hearing regarding his petition for post-conviction relief has been vacated and will be rescheduled for a later date. Additionally, court dates set for a status conference and an evidentiary hearing regarding Kohberger’s attempt to withdraw his guilty plea next June have also been called off.
Thursday’s proceedings were originally set to address a defense motion seeking to disqualify Judge Steven Hippler, who presided over Kohberger’s original trial and sentencing. Kohberger’s new legal defense team argues that Judge Hippler made biased remarks during sentencing.
During the 2025 hearing, Judge Hippler characterized Kohberger’s actions as “grotesque acts of evil” and said he was “unable to come up with anything redeeming about Mr. Kohberger.” The comments came after Kohberger pleaded guilty to the brutal 2022 murders of University of Idaho students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. The plea agreement spared Kohberger from the death penalty, resulting instead in four consecutive life sentences without parole, plus an additional 10 years.
The State of Idaho responded on Oct. 7, 2026, pushing back against the effort to remove the judge. Prosecutors argued that previous judicial rulings and sentencing statements do not legally demonstrate bias under state law.
Citing the 1998 Idaho Supreme Court ruling in State v. Beam, prosecutors noted that “the ‘very nature of sentencing … requires a trial judge to form strong opinions and convictions’ regarding the defendant.”
State prosecutors maintain that Judge Hippler remains fully qualified and well-positioned to impartially oversee Kohberger’s post-conviction proceedings.
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