Did he revoke his guilty pleas?
No. He asked the court to let him withdraw them. The pleas, convictions and sentences remain in place unless a court grants relief.
What is he claiming?
Kohberger alleges his attorneys manipulated or coerced him, made promises about prison conditions, and failed to adequately review potentially helpful evidence. These are his allegations and have not been established by a court.
Why is this difficult?
At the July 2, 2025 plea hearing, Kohberger told Judge Steven Hippler that he was pleading guilty freely and voluntarily and because he was guilty. His later allegations conflict with those sworn answers.
What does manifest injustice mean?
After sentencing, Idaho sets a high bar. He must show a serious legal wrong that makes it unjust to leave the pleas in place. Simply changing his mind is not enough.
Could the death penalty return?
If the convictions were eventually undone and the case returned to its pre-plea posture, capital punishment could become an issue again. That is not the current posture. The life sentences remain in effect.
What happens next?
The court must decide how to handle his filing and whether the allegations justify further proceedings. Until a judge grants relief, he remains convicted and imprisoned under the existing sentences.
Why It Matters
This filing shows the difference between waiving an appeal and being unable to ask a court to examine whether the plea itself was legally valid.
Sources
Associated Press: July 2026 request to withdraw guilty pleas