Here’s why Idaho student murder suspect Bryan Kohberger may have chosen to ‘stand silent’ in court, experts say

Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of stabbing four Idaho college students to death, sat wordlessly in court during his arraignment on Monday as a judge read aloud the murder and burglary charges against him and asked whether the suspect was prepared to announce his plea.

Instead of entering a plea, Kohberger’s attorney replied, “Your honor, we are standing silent.”

The unconventional legal strategy, also known as “standing mute,” relies on an Idaho criminal rule which requires a judge to then enter a not guilty plea on the defendant’s behalf, effectively allowing him to avoid...