Bryan Kohberger seeks to remove judge over sentencing remarks

Bryan Kohberger, the former University of Idaho student convicted of murdering four classmates, is attempting to remove Judge Steven Hippler from his case. Kohberger’s defense team argues that Hippler demonstrated bias during sentencing by referring to him as a “faceless coward” and stating he could find nothing “good or intrinsically human” in the defendant.

Prosecutors have opposed the motion, arguing that the judge’s remarks do not constitute legal bias. The legal battle comes as Kohberger seeks to undo his guilty plea. During the initial sentencing, Judge Hippler described Kohberger as “the worst of the worst” and noted that the defendant “slithered” into the victims’ home.

Additionally, Judge Hippler rejected a defense attempt to remove the death penalty as a possible sentence. The judge also addressed Kohberger’s refusal to provide a motive, questioning whether the defendant is capable of speaking the truth to the families of those he destroyed.