Utah judge allows murder trial to proceed for Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

A Utah district court judge ruled there is sufficient probable cause to move the case against Tyler Robinson to trial on seven counts, including aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury. Robinson, 23, entered a not-guilty plea at his arraignment. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted of aggravated murder.

The decision came after a second preliminary hearing, during which both the Kirk and Robinson families were visibly emotional. Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, and his parents sat near the front of the courtroom, while Amber Robinson, the mother of the accused, cried as the judge read the ruling. The judge’s order allows the case to proceed to a trial that is expected to be scheduled after the next court date on October 23.

Prosecutors argued that Robinson fired a high-power rifle into a crowd of more than 3,000 people at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, targeting Kirk and creating a “zone of danger” that put others at risk. Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride said the evidence shows Robinson acted because he disagreed with Kirk and described the shooter as having arrived “dressed to kill.”

Robinson’s defense team challenged the aggravating circumstance of “risk of death,” contending that there is no evidence of threats to third parties and that the prosecution’s case relies on speculation. Attorneys Staci Visser and Richard Novak argued that the texts and other evidence cited by the state do not prove a motive or intent to endanger others.

The hearing also covered video and forensic evidence linking Robinson to the campus on the day of the shooting, as well as messages allegedly sent to his former roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs. Both sides will continue to present arguments in the upcoming pre-trial proceedings.