PROVO, Utah — No trial date has been set for Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old Utah man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at a Utah Valley University event last year. A Utah judge heard arguments from prosecutors, Robinson’s defense team and an attorney representing Kirk’s widow about how much preparation the case will require and when the trial should begin.
Robinson appeared in court wearing a light gray suit and without handcuffs or shackles, but he did not speak during the hearing. During breaks, he quietly consulted with attorneys Richard Novak, Kathy Nester and Staci Visser. At one point, he handed Visser a note.
Judge Tony Graf Jr. had expected to schedule a trial before the hearing ended. But after questioning both sides about their proposed timelines and commitments in other cases, Graf said he needed additional time to determine a date.
Jeffrey Neiman, an attorney for Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, urged the judge to move the case forward. Robinson did not enter a plea until last month, nearly a year after prosecutors charged him.
Justice delayed this long stops being justice for the Kirk family.
Jeffrey Adam Nieman, attorney for Erika Kirk, attends a pretrial hearing for Tyler James Robinson, 23, who is charged with aggravated murder and six other counts in the Sept. 10, 2025, fatal shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, in 4th District Court on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Provo, Utah. (Erin Hooley, Deseret News via Pool)
“Every day of delay adds to uncertainty, invites speculation and that erodes confidence in this system,” Neiman told the court.
The approximately three-hour hearing was interrupted several times by technical problems with WebEx. Robinson defense attorney Michael Burt and an attorney representing Kirk’s parents, Robert and Kathy, participated remotely.
Utah County prosecutors proposed Jan. 31, 2028, as their preferred trial date, although they said they could be prepared to begin in October 2027.
Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, appears in court in his first in-person court appearance Dec. 11, 2025. (Pool/KSL-TV)
Visser said the case’s pretrial litigation “builds upon itself.” The defense must review more than 31,000 pieces of discovery and what she described as “8 million” digital evidence artifacts, while also preparing motions to compel and subpoenas.
“Discovery review is foundational,” Visser said. “It impacts everything else.”
For that reason, she argued, the state’s proposed January 2028 trial date is “not practical.”
Defense attorney Staci Visser in 4th District Court in Provo April 17, 2026, during a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
Robinson’s defense team asked the court to consider a “soft target” date in the third quarter of 2029. Attorneys cited the volume of discovery, extensive trial preparation and scheduling conflicts in other cases. One of those conflicts involves a federal racketeering case that Novak is scheduled to try beginning Jan. 10, 2028 — the same period sought by prosecutors for Robinson’s trial.
The prosecution and defense also agreed that a trial extending through the holidays could create difficulties for potential jurors and witnesses.
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“Justice delayed this long stops being justice for the Kirk family,” Neiman said.
Defense attorney Richard Novak in 4th District Court in Provo May 19, 2026, during a hearing for Tyler Robinson, who is accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
Neiman said only about 5% of federal cases go to trial. He added that the Kirk family would be willing to write to the federal judge and request a postponement of the January proceeding, which could resolve the scheduling conflict involving Robinson’s defense attorney.
The Utah Constitution gives crime victims and their representatives the right to a speedy resolution of their cases. Erika Kirk has been designated as the victim’s representative in the proceedings.
Novak told the court that the trial’s start date had been “set in stone” and argued against rushing things along in the case against Robinson.
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
“The reality is rushing to trial does not lead to closure. It does not lead to finality. It leads to mistakes,” he said.
Graf expressed concern that if he does not set a date soon, additional conflicts could arise.
Erika Kirk departs court in Provo, Utah, July 6, 2026. The widow of Charlie Kirk was attending the first day of preliminary hearings against Tyler Robinson. (Alec Thornock for News Media)
Neiman, who is primarily a criminal defense attorney, has repeatedly asked the court to speed things up.
“Time is the defense’s best ally,” he said. “It’s their best friend.”
He also noted that, regardless of when the trial takes place, Charlie Kirk won’t be able to spend Christmas with his family.
“Your honor, if you set it, it will happen,” Neiman said. “Set it, please.”
Graf set the next hearing for Monday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. MT, when he said he would read his ruling.