What Kohberger's Family Told ABC About His Confession

Bryan Kohberger's parents and sisters went public on September 17, issuing a statement through retained attorneys to ABC News calling his confession to four murders coerced and demanding a trial.

Kohberger confessed under oath on July 2, 2025, to the stabbing deaths of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Judge Steven Hippler asked him directly: was anyone forcing you? No. Were you promised anything? No. Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty? Yes. He confirmed it four times, once per victim. He signed a written factual basis. He waived his right to appeal.

His family now says none of that was real. Their statement, distributed through Pennsylvania law firm Amori & Associates and New York civil attorney Jason Goldman, calls for "the complete and unvarnished truth" told through "a proper trial, as opposed to an improper plea."Kohberger's handwritten petition from prison alleges his attorneys coerced his confession, hid hair evidence from the crime scene, and told him it was legally permissible to plead guilty to crimes he didn't commit. He wrote that his family attended "most" of the attorney-client meetings where the plea was discussed — meaning the people now calling the confession forced were present when it was negotiated.

The hair evidence he claims was concealed was examined by defense expert Ruth Ballard, who found it consistent with the victim's own hair. That report was filed with the court by his own lead attorney a month before the deal was signed. The term he uses — "clumps of hair" — comes from a book about the case, not any court or police record.

Prosecutors have filed a motion to dismiss and called his legal team's request for more time a "fishing expedition." An evidentiary hearing is set for June 2027 — if the petition survives.

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This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.

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