The horrific murders of four University of Idaho students – Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, and Kaylee Goncalves – on November 13, 2022, left the nation reeling. The subsequent arrest of Bryan Kohberger, a PhD student in criminology, only deepened the mystery. While the legal process unfolds, many are left wondering: What does Kohberger’s body language reveal about his potential guilt or innocence?
Unmasking the Mind: Examining Kohberger’s Body Language
To delve into this perplexing case, we turn to renowned body language expert Susan Constantine, president of the Human Behavior Academy and the Human Behavior Lab. With her extensive experience as a trial consultant, Constantine provides invaluable insight into the silent cues that can betray a suspect’s true thoughts and emotions.
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Bryan Kohberger during a court appearance, his neutral expression scrutinized by body language experts.
Our analysis begins with a traffic stop involving Kohberger just a month before the murders. Pulled over for running a red light, Kohberger engages the officer in a seemingly calm and collected manner. However, Constantine notes a telling detail: “When he’s describing what occurred…his eyes move side to side. You don’t see him in visual recall or visual memory, which is upward.” This lateral eye movement suggests an internal processing of information, a characteristic often observed in individuals who are carefully crafting their responses.
A Chilling Demeanor: Examining Kohberger’s Behavior After the Murders
Fast forward to December 15th, after the murders, when Kohberger is stopped twice more while driving home to Pennsylvania with his father. In these interactions, a stark change is evident. Constantine points out the “lack of eye blinking and that very blank, empty stare or the glare he has.” This, she explains, is indicative of a “fight or flight” response.
“He’s on high alert,” Constantine observes, “His eye pupil dilation is larger, and this kind of gives you an indication why he’s feeling this sense of fear.” Kohberger’s interactions with his father, characterized by quick glances and a lack of genuine engagement, further underscore his heightened anxiety.
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Bryan Kohberger and his father during a traffic stop. Body language experts highlight Kohberger’s darting glances and lack of genuine engagement as potential red flags.
The Courtroom Gaze: Analyzing Kohberger’s Stoicism
Finally, we examine Kohberger’s demeanor in court. As the charges are read aloud, he maintains a stoic expression, responding with a series of firm “yeses” when asked if he understands the accusations against him. This unwavering composure, while potentially interpreted as a sign of innocence, could also be a calculated facade.
Constantine notes that while Kohberger acknowledges the charges, “he didn’t deny or confirm.” His lack of outward emotion, especially when his attorney enters a not-guilty plea on his behalf, is particularly telling. This absence of visible distress or indignation, emotions typically associated with wrongful accusations, raises significant questions.
Unraveling the Enigma: Can Body Language Alone Reveal the Truth?
While body language analysis provides compelling insights into an individual’s emotional state and thought processes, it is essential to remember that it is not an infallible science. Ultimately, the question of Kohberger’s guilt or innocence will be decided based on the evidence presented at trial. However, by carefully observing his nonverbal cues, we gain a glimpse into the mind of a man accused of unspeakable acts, adding another layer of complexity to this already perplexing case.