Bryan Kohberger, convicted in the Idaho college killings, has filed a new court petition seeking to withdraw his guilty plea and conviction. NBC News headlined it "Bryan Kohberger files a petition to challenge his guilty plea and conviction". The Daily Wire headlined it "Killer Who Murdered Idaho College Students Makes Stunning New Court Request".
In the filing, he argues that he is innocent and that his previous legal counsel was ineffective. "My actual innocence is my truth, and the plea, hinged on by false promises and blatant disinformation, MUST be withdrawn,"1, NBC News stated.
His petition points to unidentified hair found in one victim's hands as support for his innocence claim. The Daily Wire noted: "Kohberger specifically references "clumps of unknown hair" found in the hands of Ethan Chapin, one of the four victims."2
Relatives of one of the victims responded with anger to the filing. NBC News said: "The Goncalves family referred to Kohberger in a statement as "1the mosquito you just can\u2019t seem to swat" and criticized The New York Times for providing him with a platform."1 BBC News headlined it "'A narcissist' - victim's family blasts Kohberger for challenging Idaho murder conviction".
Some commentary on the filing has stressed how uncommon it is for such petitions to succeed. "you have a better chance of winning the PowerBall than getting post-conviction relief."2, The Daily Wire said.
The case continues to draw attention as the petition moves through the courts. NBC News headlined it "Bryan Kohberger seeks to take back guilty plea".
