The man accused of killing four University of Idaho students as they slept was met with the glares of victims’ emotional families as a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf Monday, according to reports from the court.
Bryan Kohberger wore an orange jail-issued jumpsuit, and what appeared to be a vest as he entered the Latah County courtroom in Moscow, Idaho – full of the murdered students’ grieving loved ones – just days after a grand jury returned a five-count indictment, according to reports from inside the courtroom.
Kohberger briefly glanced at the packed gallery as the arraignment got underway, CourtTV reported. He reportedly spoke only briefly during the long-awaited hearing, responding “yes” or “yes, I do” when prompted by the judge.
When asked how he pleaded to the crimes, Kohberger’s attorney told the court her client was “standing silent,” and a not guilty plea was in turn entered on his behalf, reports said. A trial date has been set for October 2.
Judge John Judge told Kohberger he faced maximum penalties of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
The 28-year-old former criminology student was indicted on charges of felony burglary and four counts of first-degree murder.
Kohberger is accused of killing 21-year-olds Maddie Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, and Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle, both 20.
News of the indictment comes six months after the four students were killed inside the girls’ rented home during the early hours of November 13.
Kohberger had allegedly remained on campus for weeks after the murders before making a cross-country drive with his father to his home state of Pennsylvania.
Authorities ultimately arrested Kohberger, who was studying at nearby Washington State University, at the end of December 2022. He has remained in a Latah County Jail cell since he was extradited from Pennsylvania.