Charlie Kirk Shot

FILE - Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, sits beside defense attorney Kathryn Nester during a hearing in 4th District Court in Provo, Utah, on Jan. 16, 2026.

Tags

As featured on

Judge sends Charlie Kirk murder case to trial with defendant facing potential death penalty

Judge sends Charlie Kirk murder case to trial with defendant facing potential death penalty

The murder case against the Utah man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk is headed for trial. Defendant Tyler Robinson faces a potential death sentence if convicted. Utah District Judge Tony Graf on Tuesday sided with prosecutors who said they had “overwhelming” evidence that Robinson shot Kirk as he addressed a crowd last September in Orem, Utah. Robinson’s lawyers have tried to block the case from proceeding to trial. They said prosecutors didn’t give enough evidence to warrant seeking the death penalty. One of Robinson’s attorneys entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf following the decision. Kirk’s family called the ruling “an important step in our family’s pursuit of justice.”