From Matthew 27:13-14 ...
Then Pilate saith to him: Dost not thou hear how great testimonies they allege against thee? And he answered him to never a word; so that the governor wondered exceedingly.
Even Pilate's wife called him a "just man."
AC: “I think it was pretty clear to Pilate that he wasn’t dealing with an ordinary man.”
Agreed. While Pilate was probably used to judging all sorts of criminals, he was apparently surprised by Jesus. I’m sure the typical criminal was eager to plead innocence and/or beg for mercy. When Christ failed to defend himself, it was quite unusual. Regardless, I don’t think there’s any evidence that Pilate actually believed Christ was the King of Jews or the Son of God. Christ must have been unusual, but Pilate still had Christ executed. That went, of course, according to God’s will.