Charlie Kirk

After a judge ruled that Tyler Robinson will face trial for the aggravated murder of Charlie Kirk, the state’s wish to push for the death penalty became an even stronger possibility. Utah has had numerous death penalty cases in its history, and experts said they’re heavy on taxpayers’ pockets.

For some, Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University last September sparked a deeper commitment to his movement. For others, it made politics something to avoid.

The man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk as he spoke at Utah Valley University last year will stand trial and could face the death penalty. Robinson’s attorneys entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

A Utah judge is slated to hear arguments Tuesday to decide whether there is probable cause to justify a murder trial for Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk last fall.

The prosecution and defense in the Charlie Kirk case have filed dueling court documents focused on whether the crime included aggravating factors like political targeting that would make Tyler Robinson eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

Attendees from the crowd who witnessed the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last year are approaching Utah’s victims office about compensation for the trauma they experienced.

Tyler Robinson’s attorneys say prosecutors have not proven that others who attended Kirk’s Sept. 10 event at Utah Valley University were in danger by the shooting. That's a potentially aggravating factor under state law that would make it a capital crime.

Five days of evidence and witness testimony in a Provo courtroom ended without a trial date. Both sides will submit written briefs to Fourth District Judge Tony Graf, who could decide if the case goes to trial in September.

Prosecutors allege that Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s assassination, admitted to the murder in messages read aloud to a courtroom on July 9.

Only 14 seats in the court were reserved for the public. Some waited overnight, sleeping in folding chairs or on the floor, hoping to get one of the coveted wristbands required to enter the courtroom.

Although no new evidence was introduced Wednesday, there was plenty of spirited back and forth on the admissibility of an interview with accused shooter Tyler Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner.

Surveillance footage, DNA evidence and the debate about the line between religious and political views dominated day two of the pretrial hearing in Provo, Utah, for the man charged with killing Charlie Kirk.