Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination case faces court hearing
Share and Follow


PROVO, Utah (AP) — The 22-year-old man charged with killing Charlie Kirk will have a court hearing Monday where he and his newly appointed legal counsel will decide whether they want a preliminary hearing where the judge will determine if there is enough evidence against him to go forward with a trial.

Prosecutors have charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder and plan to seek the death penalty.

The Utah state court system gives people accused of crimes an option to waive their legal right to a preliminary hearing and instead schedule an arraignment where they can enter a plea.

Kathryn Nester, the lead attorney appointed to represent Robinson, declined to comment on the case ahead of Monday’s hearing. Prosecutors at the Utah County Attorney’s Office did not respond to email and phone messages seeking comment.

The hearing in Provo is open to the public, just a few miles from the Utah Valley University campus in Orem where many students are still processing trauma from the Sept. 10 shooting and the day-and-a-half search for the suspect.

Authorities arrested Robinson when he showed up with his parents at his hometown sheriff’s office in southwest Utah, more than a three-hour drive from the site of the shooting, to turn himself in. Prosecutors have since revealed incriminating text messages and DNA evidence that they say connect Robinson to the killing.

A note that Robinson had left for his romantic partner before the shooting said he had the opportunity to kill one of the nation’s leading conservative voices, “and I’m going to take it,” Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray told reporters before the first hearing. Gray also said that Robinson wrote in a text about Kirk to his partner: “I had enough of his hatred.”

The assassination of Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump who worked to steer young voters toward conservatism, has galvanized Republicans who have vowed to carry on Kirk’s mission of moving American politics further to the right.

Trump has declared Kirk a “martyr” for freedom and threatened to crack down on what he called the “radical left.”

Workers across the country have been punished or fired for speaking out about Kirk after his death, including teachers, public and private employees and media personalities — most notably Jimmy Kimmel, who had his late-night show suspended then quickly reinstated by ABC.

Kirk’s political organization, Arizona-based Turning Point USA, brought young, evangelical Christians into politics through his podcast, social media and campus events. Many prominent Republicans are filling in at the upcoming campus events Kirk was meant to attend, including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Sen. Mike Lee at Utah State University on Tuesday.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
How to watch Chicago Cubs home playoff game: ABC7 to broadcast National League Wild Card Series against San Diego Padres

Watch the Chicago Cubs Playoff Game: ABC7 to Air National League Wild Card Series vs. San Diego Padres.

CHICAGO (WLS) — ABC7 Chicago will broadcast the Cubs Wild Card Series…
Baby names that ooze 'old money' and those that give Americans the ick

Timeless Baby Names That Exude Elegance vs. Names That Might Not Appeal to Americans

What’s in a name? Well, for most parents, the task of giving…
Whatever happened to Kim Kardashian's hunky Aussie bodyguard Shengo?

What became of Kim Kardashian’s attractive Australian bodyguard, Shengo?

It was a love affair that fizzled out before it could start.…
Oscar-nominated actor who played iconic composer looks unrecognizable

Oscar-nominated actor who portrayed famous composer appears completely transformed

This Oscar-nominated actor looked unrecognizable as he made a rare outing in…
Bad Bunny chosen for NFL Super Bowl halftime show after ICE comments

Bad Bunny Selected for Super Bowl Halftime Performance Despite Controversial ICE Remarks

Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and top-selling international artist Bad Bunny has been…
Woman's car sinks in lake as she protests ICE arrests in Massachusetts

Woman’s car sinks in lake as she protests ICE arrests in Massachusetts

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! An anti-ICE protester in…
Trump summons four lawmakers to White House showdown as shutdown looms

Trump Calls Urgent Meeting with Four Lawmakers at White House as Government Shutdown Threatens

Donald Trump has called on four congressional leaders for a White House…
One dead and 9 injured after gunman shoots and firebombs MI church

Gunman Attacks MI Church: 1 Dead, 9 Injured in Shooting and Firebombing

A tragic incident occurred at a Mormon church in Michigan where at…