Utah County Seeks $2 Million From State for Tyler Robinson Case Costs

Overview

• The request was presented Monday to the Legislature’s Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee by Rep. David Shallenberger, with county administrator Ezra Nair citing the case’s unusual complexity and public attention.
• The funding would help cover both prosecution and defense in the capital-murder case against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
• Utah County has already earmarked $1 million locally and is seeking a one-time $2 million supplement after opting not to participate in the state fund for death-penalty cases.
• Nair said extraordinary expenses include heightened security, higher attorney rates and multiple specialty defense lawyers, with jury selection potentially taking months due to publicity.
• Subcommittee members, including Sen. Brady Brammer and Sen. Derrin Owens, signaled support, though any allocation depends on the final state budget later in the session.