Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four Idaho college students, appeared in court Monday as part of what will certainly be one of the highest-profile murder trials this year. Kohberger “stood silent,” leading the assigned judge to enter default not guilty pleas on all murder charges against him. He also declined to waive his speedy trial rights, and Latah County District Judge John Judge scheduled an October trial date. This last decision might quietly give Kohberger one of his most significant advantages in a case that otherwise seems to be getting worse for him as time goes on.
There was a lot of attention given to Kohberger’s decision to stand silent.
There was a lot of attention given to Kohberger’s decision to stand silent. To an uninformed outsider, it might seem strange, adding to the drama of an already mysterious case. But from a legal perspective, the more consequential choice was Kohberger’s demand for a speedy trial. This constitutionally guaranteed right gives us some clues about the defendant’s defense strategy. It also signals what his lawyers — and Kohberger himself — think about the state’s case.
Procedurally, when defendants in Idaho choose not to say anything at their arraignment, the judge will automatically enter a “not guilty” plea on their behalf. Last year, Lori Vallow, an eastern Idaho mother accused of murdering two of her children, stood silent and the court entered a plea of not guilty on her behalf, as well. It’s not that uncommon. (Vallow was just found guilty on all charges and will spend the rest of her life in prison.)
But why would a defendant even bother with a symbolic gesture that makes no substantive difference in the case? Because while symbolic gestures may not mean much to the court or the prosecutor, these little moments can mean a lot to people locked up 23 hours a day, with nothing else to think about. In a high-profile case like this one, Kohberger knows that every word and gesture from him…
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