Accused University of Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger acted like someone who was “caught doing something wrong” upon learning the possible fate that awaits him — but otherwise showed a level of calm most comparable to infamous assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, body language experts told The Post.
Victims’ grieving loved ones and the media alike came face to face with the alleged quadruple murderer Monday, when Kohberger returned to court for the first time in months for his long-awaited arraignment.
Body language experts told The Post how dissecting his most minute behaviors — from the use of his tongue to his controlled reactions and the tone of his voice — can paint a picture of his mindset.
“It’s not until we hear the judge confirm with Kohberger that he understands the ‘maximum penalty’ for each death that we see the highest spike in stress, which is when he quickly pushes his tongue on the lower right side of the inside of his cheek,” said longtime body language expert and best-selling author Janine Driver.
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Such a behavior change is “often seen when someone is caught doing something wrong.”
Bryan Kohberger, accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, listens during his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court on May 22, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho.AP
Driver was one of two body language experts who analyzed Kohberger’s behavior during the Monday morning arraignment hearing at Latah County Court in Moscow, Idaho.
Kohberger remained stoic, stone-faced and quiet other than when prompted by Judge John Judge.
His attorney, Anne Taylor, announced her client was “standing silent,” at which point not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf.
Judge then named each of the four victims — Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle — while outlining the charges during the brief hearing.
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Victims Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle with their surviving roommates in the last known photo of them together.kayleegoncalves/Instagram A police officer stands by a memorial in front of the off-campus home where four University of Idaho students were stabbed to death in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022.James Keivom Apparent dried blood stains seen on the Moscow home’s foundation under the bedroom where Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found stabbed to death on Nov. 13.Kai Eiselein
That’s when Kohberger’s stress can be seen in the form of “pulsating that’s happening on the right side of his face and his cheek,” Driver said.
She pointed to no other noteworthy responses to the names being called — but said that could be intentional.
Kohberger “looks down at the paper on the table in front of him,” Driver said, referring to the action as a possible technique called “eye blocking.”
“Eye blocking is like a screen saver on a cellphone — it blocks others from seeing our private information and secrets.
Bryan Kohberger’s mugshot. Monroe County Correctional Facil/AFP via Getty Images
Kohberger is accused of killing 21-year-olds Mogen and Goncalves and 20-year-olds Chapin and Kernodle at an off-campus home on Nov. 13 last year.
The 28-year-old former criminology student was indicted last week on charges of felony burglary and four counts of first-degree murder over the killings. Prosecutors are expected to announce in the coming weeks whether they will seek the death penalty.
‘Zero’ emotion
Bryan Kohberger listens during his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court on May 22, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho.AP
Judge asked Kohberger several questions during Monday’s hearing, including if he understood his rights amid the allegations against him. He responded “yes” and “yes, I do.”
“He is very polite to the judge and looks at him,” Driver notes. “His voice is clear and his tone does not leak sadness or fear.”
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Traci Brown, a world-renowned body language expert and author, noted Kohberger’s rigidity upon entering the courtroom.
“He didn’t swing his arms at all,” she told The Post. “He doesn’t move his head at all.”
Body language experts told The Post how dissecting the accused killer’s most minute behaviors — from the use of his tongue to his controlled reactions and the tone of his voice — can paint a picture of his mindset.AP
She said he showed “zero” emotion. He “didn’t protect himself,” she added, and often didn’t show “any stress signs at all.”
“Usually when people walk into a courtroom, they’ll have their hands in front of them a little bit or clasp their hands in a certain way like he did nothing to protect himself from him,” Brown went on.
“He didn’t sit in his chair and fidget. He didn’t scratch his head, he didn’t tap his fingers on the table. He didn’t, maybe smooth down the pants on this legs. Nothing.”
Brown compared Kohberger’s relative lack of stress signs to Lee Harvey Oswald — who infamously assassinated President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
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“The gravity of the situation is lost on him, I think,” Brown told The Post. “He’s going through the motions of what’s going on there, but he’s not emotionally connected to it.”
“Thank you as well to our partners in Idaho for their immediate willingness to offer assistance. You helped rebuild this vital infrastructure and respond to others in need.”
Idaho and Wyoming also recently worked together to develop the “Decarbonizing the West” report at the Western Governors Association. You can read and see the presentations here and read the final report here.
The Western Governors Association recently celebrated 40 years with Idaho in attendance. The WGA is comprised of 19 member states and three territories. Member states and their governors can be viewed here.
Idaho was represented by former Governor Butch Otter (WGA 2011 Chairman) and current Governor Brad Little. Otter praises the WGA, saying,
“As a former Chairman of the WGA, I have seen firsthand how the organization elevates and expands our platform and brings solutions to a wide range of public policy issues vital to our citizens and our states. Jumping in and getting involved in the WGA has been one of the best decisions I ever made as Governor.”
Current Idaho Governor Brad Little (WGA 2022 Chairman) adds,
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“The power of the Western Governors’ Association is in the power of collaboration. Oftentimes we wear our political “jerseys,” so to speak, but when we get together as Governors through the WGA, we take off those jerseys and work together on what’s best for the West. The WGA reinforces that we can get things done when we stay focused on issues where we agree – which, by the way, happens to be a lot.”
“Joining Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, WGA’s current chair, was former Governors Steve Bullock of Montana, Gary Herbert of Utah, David Ige of Hawaii, Matt Mead of Wyoming, Bob Miller of Nevada, Butch Otter of Idaho, and Brian Sandoval of Nevada. Their discussions, which were moderated by Judy Woodruff, the former anchor and managing editor of the PBS NewsHour, focused on the importance of bipartisanship when dealing with many of the country’s complex problems.”
Pictured Governors: Nevada Joe Lombardo, North Dakota Doug Burgum, New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham, Wyoming Mark Gordon, Idaho Brad Little
Gordon unveils ‘Decarbonizing the West’ report, seeks climate flexibility
Another major connection between these two states is TerraPower. Their website describes them,
“TerraPower was founded by Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries that decided the private sector needed to take action in developing advanced nuclear energy to meet growing electricity needs, mitigate climate change and lift billions out of poverty. Advanced reactors and other isotopic applications are now possible with technology and enhanced computing capabilities that were unimaginable a few decades ago. At TerraPower, we are innovating in nuclear to improve the lives of people everywhere and to build the clean energy of tomorrow – today.”
Gates said of the Idaho National Labratory,
“TerraPower has many cooperative projects and there are lots of partnerships, but our work with INL is singularly important,” Gates said.
Wyoming will be the first state TerraPower builds a nuclear reactor site.
“TerraPower is building its first reactor near the site of a retiring coal facility in Kemmerer, Wyoming, in a joint effort with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Project.”
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The United States Department of Interior is working with both states to develop power transmission lines. The article below details construction of a project called TransWest Express that in function looks similar to Lava Ridge in Idaho.
Gov. Gordon, Biden officials hail clean energy project as essential
“The Interior Department is moving quickly to meet President Biden’s goal of permitting at least 25 gigawatts of onshore renewable energy by 2025,” Haaland told attendees of a groundbreaking event Tuesday as the southern Wyoming wind whipped across a stage. “The project that we are all here to celebrate — the TransWest Express transmission project — is a momentous milestone in our effort to make that goal a reality.”
With so many projects between Idaho and Wyoming, the Idaho Dispatch began to investigate who is reporting on these similarities, and who owns the media in Wyoming. Similar to our exposé articles on Idaho media found here, here, here, here, here, and here, we decided to look at Wyoming as well.
Watch for our upcoming findings on the media parallels between the two states.
David Pettinger and Sarah Clendenon co-wrote this article.
Tags: Bill Gates, Brad Little, Butch Otter, Decarbonizing the West, Idaho, Idaho National Laboratory, INL, Lava Ridge, Media, Power, TerraPower, Teton Pass Highway, TransWest Express, Western Governors Association, WGA, Wyoming
BOISE, IDAHO — Idaho Governor Brad Little has announced the launch of a new initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in 2026.
According to the Governor’s office, the new initiative, America250 in Idaho, aims to advance projects and foster community engagement opportunities to honor this national milestone and Idaho’s significant role in American history.
“The United States of America is the greatest nation in the world and worthy of celebration. As we approach the 250th anniversary of American independence, Idaho is proud to recognize our nation’s triumphant history and the contributions of the Gem State,” Governor Little said. “I look forward to seeing the America250 in Idaho initiative inspire patriotism, build civic participation, and celebrate freedom.”
On Wednesday, Idaho Statehood Day, Governor Little signed a proclamation establishing a multi-agency task force to plan, encourage, coordinate, and promote statewide observances and activities as part of the national commemoration.
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The task force, led by the Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS), will collaborate with several Idaho state agencies, including the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Department of Education, Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and others.
“The task force will collaborate with the America250 in Idaho Advisory Council, established through the 2024 Idaho Legislature’s passage of House Concurrent Resolution 31, to inspire statewide participation and patriotism,” Governor Little added.
More information about America250 in Idaho is available here.
Idaho stopped investigating pregnancy-related deaths after its Legislature allowed a law to expire but is re-creating its Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
The committee, created in 2019, analyzed the deaths and made recommendations. It ceased operating July 1, 2023, when the law creating it expired.
That made Idaho the only state without a review committee, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute.
The committee’s latest report said Idaho’s maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births was 40.1 in 2021, up from 18.7 in 2018.
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From 2018 to 2022, Idaho’s rate was 20, below the national average of 23.2; Wisconsin’s was 13.2.
Idaho legislation signed in March created a new committee effective July 1. The state began recruiting members June 28.
The Idaho claim was made June 29 by Democrat Kristin Lyerly. She is running for the northeast Wisconsin seat vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, who resigned in April.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
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KFF Health News: Idaho Drops Panel Investigating Pregnancy-Related Deaths as US Maternal Mortality Surges
Maternal Mortality Review Committee: 2021 Matneral Deaths in Idaho
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: Maternal Mortality Review Committee
Boise State Public Radio: Idaho dissolves maternal mortality review committee, as deaths remain high
