A judge has ruled that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence for an aggravated murder case against Tyler Robinson to proceed to trial in connection with the death of political commentator Charlie Kirk.
The aggravated murder charge carries the possibility of the death penalty under Utah law.
Following a preliminary hearing, Judge Tony Graf determined that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for the felony charge to move forward. Robinson entered a plea of not guilty. A trial date has not yet been set.
A key factor in determining whether an aggravated murder charge was warranted was whether the defendant was aware that his alleged actions posed a risk to other people nearby.
“These circumstances support a reasonable inference that the defendant was aware that other individuals were positioned near Mr Kirk when he fired,” Judge Graf said.
Robinson’s attorneys argued that the aggravated murder charge should not apply because no one other than Kirk was struck during the shooting.
Right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at an event on a university campus in Utah in September 2025.
Prosecutors allege that Robinson, 23, a former electrical apprentice, carried out the shooting and have described the evidence against him as “overwhelming”.
Prosecutors further allege that Robinson targeted Kirk because of the commentator’s political views, including his opposition to marriage equality and transgender rights.
Charlie Kirk was an American conservative political activist, author and media personality who co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, a non-profit organisation focused on promoting conservative ideas among students and young voters.
Kirk became a prominent figure in Republican politics and a close ally of President Donald Trump. Following Robinson’s arrest, Trump publicly called for the death penalty to be applied in the case.
