Bryan Kohberger, who is suspected of murdering four University of Idaho students refused to enter any plea at his arraignment on Monday. Instead, according to his attorney Anne Taylor said that he was “standing silent” on the charges, including four counts of first-degree murder and burglary.

Kohberger, 28, a criminology PhD student was scheduled to enter his plea during his arraignment at 9 am PT in Latah County Court in Moscow, Idaho. But he refused to say anything during the proceedings, leaving the judge to enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

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When the judge told Kohberger that he faces the death penalty or life in prison on the charges that have been brought against him, the suspect confirmed that he understood the charges and the penalties.

Kohberger is accused of killing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, on November 13. The victims were stabbed to death in an off-campus home that the three women shared with two roommates, who survived the attack. Goncalves’ family members were seen wiping tears from their eyes at Kohberger’s arraignment.

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Kohberger was arrested at his parent’s home in Pennsylvania on December 30, six weeks after the attack.

His DNA was found on a knife sheath which was found by the investigators at the crime scene. CCTV camera captured a white Hyundai Elantra, which matched the vehicle he owned driving away from the area at the time of the murders.

The trial has been set to begin on October 2, 2023. The prosecution now has 60 days to formally seek the death penalty in the case. Taylor said that she expects the trial to take around six weeks.