A 23-year-old Utah man, Tyler Robinson, has entered a plea of not guilty to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as a judge ruled that prosecutors can pursue the death penalty in the high-profile case.
Robinson faces charges of aggravated murder, a capital offense in Utah, along with six other counts related to the shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10, 2025. The incident occurred during a campus event where Kirk was speaking.
Defense attorneys had sought to bar the death penalty, but prosecutors argued that aggravating factors, including firing into a crowd with children present, warranted a capital trial. The judge's decision allows the case to proceed with the possibility of execution.
Kirk, 31, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck and died at the scene. He was a prominent figure in conservative youth activism and was credited with boosting youth turnout for former President Trump.
In court on Tuesday, Robinson appeared in a gray suit, occasionally consulting with his lawyers. Kirk's widow, Erika, mother of their two children, and his parents, Robert and Kathryn, were present. The family issued a statement calling the judge's ruling 'an important step' in their 'pursuit of justice.'
The preliminary hearing in July lasted five days, during which prosecutors outlined evidence including DNA linking Robinson to the murder weapon, alleged confessions to loved ones, and a videotaped statement from his roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs.
Prosecutor Ryan McBride told the court that 'there is a mountain of evidence' proving Robinson was the shooter, citing video showing him 'dressed to kill' on campus. He listed video evidence, DNA, admissions, and circumstantial evidence as key pillars of the case.
Prosecutors allege Robinson, a former apprentice electrician, was in a relationship with Twiggs and found Kirk's conservative views, particularly on transgender issues, 'repugnant,' providing a motive for the killing.
On Tuesday, prosecutors outlined aggravating factors, accusing Robinson of 'gambling with the lives of others' by firing toward Kirk, who was surrounded by people. Prosecutor Chad Grunander described it as 'a game of ballistic roulette.'
Grunander emphasized the timeline, stating, 'It's been 356 days since Tyler Robinson assassinated Charlie Kirk. It's time for him to be bound over for trial and arraigned. Today.'
Defense lawyers attempted to cast doubt on the prosecution's evidence, questioning procedures and expert credentials. They also objected to cameras livestreaming the proceedings, but Judge Tony Graf ruled in favor of transparency, citing the case's public interest and conspiracy theories.
The defense downplayed the aggravating factors, arguing that no bullets hit anyone in the crowd other than Kirk. However, prosecutors detailed how Robinson allegedly scouted the campus repeatedly on the day of the shooting, interacting with TPUSA members and eating Chick-fil-A before changing clothes.
Robinson's new outfit included 'long pants to obscure the rifle he had concealed down his pants,' McBride said. DNA was found on his grandfather's rifle, stashed near campus, as well as on a towel and screwdriver. Engravings on casings matched a Dremel tool from his home.
Twiggs' videotaped interview, played in July, showed Robinson confessing to the shooting, crying, and expressing regret. Robinson turned himself in the day after the murder, accompanied by family and a neighbor.
The next court hearing is scheduled for October 23, when a trial date is expected to be set. The case continues to draw national attention, highlighting deep political divisions in the country.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk