Overview
- At a Feb. 3 hearing, the defense sought to remove the Utah County Attorney’s Office because Chief Deputy Chad Grunander’s 18-year-old daughter attended the UVU rally, but testimony indicated she did not witness the shooting and reported no lasting trauma.
- Judge Tony Graf set a Feb. 24 hearing to deliver his decision on disqualification and rejected a separate request to transfer the case to the state attorney general.
- Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray testified his decision to pursue the death penalty was based on the evidence and not outside pressure or personal ties, and said he announced it early to curb speculation and reassure Erika Kirk.
- A Utah State Bureau of Investigation agent testified that DNA from a firearm found near campus matched Tyler Robinson, as prosecutors reiterated their intent to seek capital punishment.
- Proceedings remain open to the public after defense efforts to restrict cameras and graphic videos; the judge moved cameras to the back of the courtroom, and Erika Kirk filed to maintain public access ahead of a May 18 preliminary hearing.