Judge appoints new public defender for Idaho murder defendant amid $8 million case cost

Bryan Kohberger, convicted of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death in November 2022, received a court-appointed attorney after a judge granted his request for public-defender representation in post-conviction proceedings. Kohberger submitted a handwritten petition asserting that he was misled into a false confession and that his former defense team omitted crucial exculpatory material referenced in a recent book.

The petition contradicts his earlier statements that the plea was entered knowingly and voluntarily. Judge Steven Hippler’s order also clarified that filing fees do not apply to post-conviction petitions. The murders and ensuing legal battles have exceeded $8 million in taxpayer expenses, with the publicly funded defense alone accounting for roughly $5.5 million. Victims’ families, particularly the mother of Kaylee Goncalves, have voiced outrage and indicated they are prepared to re-engage in court if the case is reopened.