Judge vacates Bryan Kohberger’s court hearing

ADA COUNTY, Idaho (TCN) — A judge has vacated a court appearance for 31-year-old Bryan Kohberger, who had been scheduled to appear virtually for a hearing that would decide whether the judge would continue to preside over upcoming proceedings. 

Kohberger pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder last year in connection with the fatal 2022 stabbings of Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Ethan Chapin at an off-campus house near the University of Idaho. 

On July 27, Kohbergerfiled a handwritten petition alleging he had not received adequate representation and that he had been manipulated by his defense and threatened to plead guilty. He also spoke of additional evidence, including an unknown hair found in a victim’s hand. 

Kohberger had pleaded guilty about a month before his trial was set to begin and waived the right to appeal as part of his plea. However, Kohberger’s request for a new trial can lead to a similar outcome as an appeal and is part of postconviction relief, per the Idaho Statesman.

In August, Judge Steven Hippler granted a status conference and evidentiary hearingfor June 2027. According to a court docket, his first hearing was scheduled much sooner than expected. He was set to appear on Oct. 15, and his attorneys were to have the opportunity to argue that Hippler be removed from the case. 

People reportsHippler filed an order vacating the hearing on Oct 13. A copy of the order was obtained and posted on Xby journalist Kevin Fixler. After the hearing was vacated, the upcoming June hearings were effectively canceled; a new date for the hearing has not been set.

According to the order, Kohberger’s team will be able to request new dates for the June 2027 appearances on Aug. 2, 2027.

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