Now that Durham has made an indictment that he likely won't win

What makes you say this? The charge of intentionally lying to the investigators is very serious. This is what they used to put Martha Stewart in prison and Gen Flynn was given years of torture based on the same charge. Its not a joke, no matter how much Maddow wants to make it sound like "Oh he just forgot to mention he was working for clients".

My guess is that them pleading not guilty is probably part of the deal - to allow discovery to happen and also to give him possible cover from his friends in saying he is not co-operating.