Idaho murders: Bryan Kohberger's defense stands silent at arraignment, judge enters not guilty pleas
MOSCOW, Idaho – A judge entered pleas of not guilty to all charges for Bryan Kohberger at his arraignment Monday – more than seven months after detectives allege he fatally stabbed four University of Idaho undergrads in their off-campus home.
Deputies escorted Kohberger into the courtroom around 9 a.m., where he stood before Judge John Judge.
The defendant, wearing an orange jumpsuit and no handcuffs, smiled at his defense attorney, Kootenai County Public Defender Anne Taylor, and sat quietly. He nodded as Judge read his rights aloud.
Taylor said they would "be standing silent," so Judge entered the not guilty pleas for the charges against Kohberger. A 60-day death penalty countdown began during Monday's hearing.
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Bryan Kohberger, left, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, looks toward his attorney, public defender Anne Taylor, right, during a hearing in Latah County District Court, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool)
Taylor asked the judge for a six-week trial beginning in October.
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 victims of Nov. 13 University of Idaho massacre, from left to right: Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen. (Instagram @xanakernodle / @maddiemogen / @kayleegoncalves)
The arraignment kicks off a six-month countdown for the start of his trial, meaning it could begin in November at the latest, roughly a year after the slayings, according to Edwina Elcox, a Boise-based defense attorney who has been following the case.
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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.
This photo provided by Monroe County (Pa.) Correctional Facility shows Bryan Kohberger. Arrest paperwork filed by Pennsylvania State Police in Monroe County Court, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, said Kohberger, 28, was being held for extradition in a criminal homicide investigation in the killings of four University of Idaho students, based on an active arrest warrant for first degree murder issued by the Moscow Police Department and Latah County Prosecutor’s Office. (Monroe County Correctional Facility via AP)
In previously unsealed court documents, police alleged that they traced his 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.
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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.
Bryan Kohberger and his alleged victims, clockwise from top left, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves. (WSU/Instagram)
Kohberger is being held without bail at the Latah County Jail in Moscow, Idaho.
He could face the death penalty if convicted. The suspect could face 10 years in prison and up to four consecutive life sentences if he is found guilty.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.