>>11467
I'm aware. The first panel is after he meets Jesus and wants to release him but the crowds kept urging him to kill Jesus and threatening a riot. Therefore, his solution is to let the local Jews do it themselves. It prevents more civil disturbance, removes any possible accusation of treason against Caesar which the Jews were bringing to bear against him, and he even gets to wash his hands of the matter. It's the most politically expedient solution.
And reminder that while Pilate may not have wanted to kill Jesus, he didn't prevent it from happening though it was completely within his power.