Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the fatal stabbing of four University of Idaho undergraduates in their off-campus home, pleaded not guilty to all charges at his arraignment on Monday.
Kohberger, who was escorted into the courtroom by deputies, stood before Judge John Judge wearing an orange jumpsuit and no handcuffs. Kohberger nodded as Judge read his rights aloud, and his defense attorney, Kootenai County Public Defender Anne Taylor, said they would "be standing silent." This means that the defendant does not take a guilty or not-guilty stance but has the same outcome as pleading not guilty.
Kohberger faces four charges of first-degree murder and another count of felony burglary in connection with the Nov. 13, 2022, stabbings of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, also 20.
The prosecutor's office has 60 days to notify the defense if they are seeking the death penalty. Kohberger could face the death penalty if convicted, and he could face 10 years in prison and up to four consecutive life sentences if found guilty.
Taylor asked the judge for a six-week trial beginning in October, which Judge approved. He set an Oct. 2 start date for a six-week trial, less than a year after the slayings. The three young women lived together in a six-bedroom home just steps off campus with two other housemates who were not targeted.
Chapin was dating Kernodle and visiting for the night, just days before the students would have left for Thanksgiving break. Kohberger, 28, was studying for a Ph.D. at the neighboring Washington State University.
In previously unsealed court documents, police alleged that they traced Kohberger's vehicle, a white Hyundai Elantra, to the victims' home at least a dozen times prior to the murders and once more hours later but before police had arrived.
They also allegedly found DNA evidence on a Ka-Bar knife sheath found next to Mogen's body. All four students had been stabbed to death, according to Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt, and at least some of them were likely sleeping at the start of the 4 a.m. ambush. Kohberger is being held without bail at the Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho.
After the hearing, victim Kaylee Goncalves' father shook hands with Ben Mogen, Madison Mogen's father. Kaylee's sister, Alivea Goncalves, said it was "important" for her family to be present at Monday's hearing.
Idaho lawyer Edwina Elcox, who previously represented alleged "Cult Mom" Lori Vallow, noted that because Kohberger did not enter a guilty plea himself, his decision to stand silent "can be a tactic to continue negotiations with the prosecution."
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