Judge Binds Tyler Robinson Over Murder Charges in Charlie Kirk Shooting
A Utah judge sent the murder case against Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, to trial, including a death-penalty count, after a preliminary hearing marked by contentious remarks from the defense.
A Utah district judge on Tuesday bound over all charges against 23-year-old Tyler Robinson to trial, including an aggravated murder count that carries the death penalty. Robinson is accused of shooting Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during a public speaking event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.
Robinson’s attorney, Richard Novak, described Kirk as “full of hate” during the hearing, a comment that drew sharp criticism from prosecutors and Kirk’s family members present in the courtroom. Chief Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander said the state “takes great exception” to the characterization, noting that Kirk’s expressed opinions on politics and religion do not constitute hate. Kirk’s family attorney Jeffrey Neiman called the remarks “uncalled for” and emphasized that Kirk’s career involved “hard conversations” on difficult topics.
Prosecutors also referenced text messages allegedly sent by Robinson to his roommate, Lance Twiggs, in which Robinson purportedly expressed a motive tied to Kirk’s perceived hatred. The judge, Tony Graf Jr., scheduled a pre-trial conference for Oct. 23, when a trial date may be set.