COEUR d'ALENE - Eldon Samuel III, a 15-year-old accused of murdering his father and brother in March, did not enter a plea at his arraignment hearing in Kootenai County District Court Monday.

Kootenai County Public Defender John Adams told the judge he advised Samuel, who is being charged as an adult, to remain silent because he plans to advocate for the case to be moved to juvenile court.

Judge Benjamin Simpson told Samuel, who is being charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder, that he faces a fixed life sentence if convicted. If he is tried as a juvenile, he would be committed to a youth detention center until he turns 21.

On March 24, Samuel allegedly used a gun to murder his father, Eldon Samuel, 46, and then a shotgun, knife and machete to murder his 13-year-old brother, Jonathan Samuel. According to police records, after the double murder, the boy called 911 and told the police dispatcher he had shot and killed his father and brother.

The murders occurred at St. Vincent de Paul emergency housing in Coeur d'Alene, where the family was living.

Adams said he will be filing as many as five "substantial" pre-trial motions in the case, including a challenge to Idaho's abolishment of an insanity defense. He told Simpson he would need three to four months in order to secure records, including a written transcript of the sealed preliminary trial, in order to file those motions.

"You're telling me you're not going to be ready for five months?" Simpson asked.

Simpson then called for a recess in order for the defense team to explain to Samuel the ramifications of waiving his right to a speedy trial. When court resumed, Simpson asked Samuel, who was wearing a red prison jumpsuit and had his jet-black hair slicked back, twice if he understood.

"Yes," Samuel quietly answered both times.

Simpson said his intention was to set a trial date as soon as possible. However, the judge added that he also understood Adams' request for more time, given the nature of the case.