One year after pleading guilty to the November 2022 murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin as part of a bombshell plea deal that allowed him to avoid the death penalty, Bryan Kohberger has changed his mind.
The now-31 year old – who is serving four consecutive life in prison without the possibility of parole sentences for each first-degree murder count, plus 10 years for burglary – petitioned the court Monday to withdraw his guilty plea so he can seek a new trial.
In a handwritten affidavit, Kohberger claimed he received ineffective assistance of counsel, writing that he “was convinced to falsely confess to capital murder, and felony burglary by coercion, disinformation, false promises, and withholding of exculpatory discovery.”
Kohberger also gave an interview to The New York Times, reportedly calling reporter Mike Baker collect from prison and telling him he had an “absolute claim of innocence.” The convicted murderer also offered a written statement to The Times, in which he claimed “justice was not served” in his case that was “circumnavigated by a broken plea.”
Legal Analysis
On Tuesday’s Show, Megyn was joined by Howard Blum, author of When The Night Comes Falling, Mark Geragos, host of In The Well, and Ashleigh Merchant, host of The MK True Crime Show, to discuss Kohberger’s petition and whether he has any chance of withdrawing his plea.
Kohberger Wants to Retract His Guilty Plea – Will It Work?
Geragos, Merchant, and Megyn examine whether Kohberger’s attempt to get a new trial has a chance of working, whether the fact that the victim’s families weren’t happy with the plea deal will help his chances, and more.
New Questions About Potential Kohberger Accomplice
Megyn and Blum discuss Kohberger’s attempt to withdraw his guilty plea and seek a new trial, his claims that he was pressured into pleading guilty and is actually innocent, questions about whether Kohberger had an accomplice, the issue of unknown male DNA found at the scene, and more.
The Real Reason the Kohberger Case Isn’t Over
Breaking down how Kohberger’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim could work, why his life in prison is likely driving his attempt to get back in the spotlight, and more.
You can check out Megyn’s full coverage by tuning in to episode 1,369 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Channel (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.