A 23-year-old Utah man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and six other charges, as a judge ruled that prosecutors can seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
Tyler Robinson entered the plea during a court appearance in Provo on Tuesday, nearly a year after Kirk was shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem.
The 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder was speaking to students when he was shot in the neck on September 10, 2025.
Robinson, dressed in a grey suit, appeared in court alongside his lawyers. Kirk’s widow, Erika, and his parents, Robert and Kathryn, also attended the hearing.
The judge’s decision followed arguments over whether prosecutors had established sufficient aggravating circumstances to make the case eligible for capital punishment.
Prosecutors cite crowd as aggravating factor
Prosecutors argued that the alleged shooting was particularly serious because Kirk was surrounded by other people, including children, when the gunfire occurred.
They accused Robinson of recklessly putting the lives of others at risk when he allegedly fired at Kirk.
“He was playing, in effect, a game of ballistic roulette,” prosecutor Chad Grunander told the court.
The prosecution said the circumstances justified pursuing the death penalty, while Robinson’s defence lawyers had sought to have capital punishment removed from the case.
Mr Grunander told the court that Robinson should now proceed to trial.
“It’s been 356 days since Tyler Robinson assassinated Charlie Kirk,” he said.
Prosecutors outline evidence
The decision follows a five-day preliminary hearing held in July, during which prosecutors presented evidence they said established probable cause for the case to proceed to trial.
Among the evidence cited was DNA allegedly linking Robinson to the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting and other items recovered during the investigation.
Prosecutors also pointed to alleged admissions made by Robinson to people close to him and a recorded interview with his roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs.
Prosecutor Ryan McBride told the court that video footage, DNA evidence, alleged admissions and other circumstantial evidence all pointed to Robinson as the shooter.
“We know that the defendant is the shooter,” Mr McBride said, outlining what he described as multiple strands of evidence against the accused.
The prosecution also alleged that Robinson repeatedly visited the university campus on the day of the shooting and interacted with members of Turning Point USA before returning later in different clothing.
According to prosecutors, he later wore long trousers to conceal a rifle as he moved around the campus.
During the July hearing, prosecutors said Robinson’s DNA was found on a rifle allegedly hidden in a wooded area near the university, as well as on a towel used to wrap the weapon and a screwdriver recovered at the scene.
They also alleged that markings on shell casings recovered after the shooting matched a Dremel tool found at the home Robinson shared with Twiggs.
Defence challenges prosecution case
Robinson’s lawyers have sought to cast doubt on the prosecution’s evidence and the procedures used during the investigation.
During the preliminary hearing, the defence questioned the credentials of some prosecution experts and raised concerns about investigative procedures.
The lawyers have also repeatedly objected to cameras livestreaming proceedings in the case.
Judge Tony Graf considered arguments over the issue during a closed hearing on Tuesday before allowing the proceedings to remain open to cameras, citing the importance of transparency in a case that has generated significant public interest and conspiracy theories.
The defence also challenged the prosecution’s claim that the circumstances surrounding the shooting amounted to aggravating factors warranting the death penalty.
Lawyers argued that no one in the crowd was struck by gunfire apart from Kirk.
Alleged motive
Prosecutors have alleged that Robinson opposed Kirk’s conservative political views, particularly his positions on transgender issues, and described those views as “repugnant”.
They have presented the alleged disagreement as part of the motive for the shooting.
Robinson, a former apprentice electrician, has denied the murder charge.
His case is now expected to proceed to trial, where prosecutors will have to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Kirk’s family welcomed the ruling allowing the case to proceed.
In a statement issued after Tuesday’s hearing, the family said the decision marked “an important step” in their pursuit of justice.
“Every step in this process carries the weight of all that Charlie’s murder has taken from his family, especially his children who will grow up without their father,” the statement said.
Robinson surrendered to authorities the day after the shooting, accompanied by family members and a neighbour.
He is scheduled to return to court on October 23, when a trial date is expected to be set.
