Particle.news
Download on the App Store
20 ARTICLES
·
2d ago

Robinson Asks Judge to Remove Death‑Penalty Option in Charlie Kirk Case

The defense says prosecutors failed to prove the single shot created a high probability of death to others and Judge Tony Graf will decide whether to preserve capital exposure at a Sept. 1 hearing.

Tyler Robinson, who is charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, should avoid the death penalty because the bullet only "hit the intended target," the defense argued.
Media and courtroom attendees stand outside the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, ahead of the second day of the preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (Photo: Kristen McPeek, KUTV reporter)

Overview

  • Robinson’s lawyers filed a 41‑page brief this week arguing the state did not meet the legal standard for the sole aggravating factor that would allow a death sentence.
  • The defense says forensic and witness evidence from the July preliminary hearing shows one scoped rifle shot hit only Kirk and traveled above the crowd so no high probability of other deaths existed.
  • Prosecutors previously presented DNA links to the suspected rifle, surveillance video tying a suspect to a rooftop perch, and alleged admissions that they say support the aggravator.
  • The filing renews objections to the reliability of hearsay and chain‑of‑custody evidence, while social media conspiracy claims intensified after a newly filed parking‑lot video screenshot went viral.
  • The prosecution has until Aug. 18 to reply and Judge Graf is due to rule on probable cause, bindover and the death‑penalty motion at a Sept. 1 hearing, with Robinson still facing aggravated murder charges if the case proceeds.