Boise, Idaho - A retired FBI agent who has long followed the Moscow murders case is speaking out about convicted killer Bryan Kohberger's civil petition to withdraw his plea, singling out the judge who oversaw his plea deal.

Bryan Kohberger, in a plea deal, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to four counts of first-degree murder for the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, along with one count of felony burglary, resulting in four consecutive life terms without parole and an additional 10 years for the burglary conviction.

Though he waived his right to a direct appeal as part of the plea agreement, which was overseen by Judge Steven Hippler of the Idaho Fourth Judicial District, Kohberger is taking the civil route. He filed a handwritten petition for post-conviction relief on July 27, asking for his guilty plea to be withdrawn, claiming that he received ineffective counsel and was coerced into taking the plea with false promises, among other things.

But retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer has thoughts about who should oversee his appeal hearing. Currently, Judge Hippler is set to hear the case, but Coffindaffer believes that could – and should – change.

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"Judge Hippler is considering disqualifying himself as it pertains to Bryan Kohberger's appeal," Coffindaffer wrote in a post on X. "He should and I believe he will disqualify himself ... he was the judge who over saw [sic] the plea deal. Another judge should evaluate BK's plea deal so their [sic] can be no concerns about impartiality."

Kohberger's new public defender Gregory "Greg" Rauch is asking that Judge Hippler disqualify himself. Coffindaffer claims there is a hearing set for December 10 on the matter. A hearing was initially set for October 15, but it was vacated due to an amended schedule.

CBS 2 in Boise reported that Kohberger's new public defender has until January 13, 2027, to file an amended petition to try to withdraw Kohberger from his plea deal.

The four University of Idaho students killed in November 2022 were Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Kohberger later pleaded guilty to their murders.