Utah judge to decide whether prosecutors stay on Charlie Kirk case

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, who is charged with aggravated murder.

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The sentencing judge or the board of pardons and parole shall consider the defendant’s selection of the victim as an aggravating factor. Violent offense committed in the presence of *** child aggravating factor. board of pardons and parole shall considered an aggravating factor in their deliberations. That the defendant committed *** violent offense in the presence of *** child. Count 3, obstruction of justice. *** second degree felony in violation of Utah code annotated 76-8. 3062 and that on September 10, 2025 in Utah County, the defendant Tyler James Robinson, with intent to hinder, delay or prevent the investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or pursuant to any person regarding conduct that constitutes *** criminal offense, conceal or remove the. Firearm used to shoot Charlie Kirk and the conduct that constitutes an offense would be *** capital felony or *** first degree felony. Count 4, obstruction of justice, *** second degree felony in violation of Utah Code 76-8-3062. In that on or about September 11, 2025. In Utah County, the defendant Tyler James Robinson, with an intent to hinder, delay or prevent the investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of any person regarding conduct that conduct that constitutes *** criminal offense, destroyed, concealed or removed the clothing he wore during the shooting, and the conduct that constitutes an offense would be *** capital felony. Or first degree felony. Count 5, tampering with *** witness, *** third degree felony in violation of Utah code annotated 768-508. In that honor about September 10, 2025 in Utah County, the defendant, Tyler James Robinson, believed that an official proceeding or investigation. Was pending or about to be instituted or intended to prevent an official proceeding or investigation, and attempted to induce or otherwise cause his roommate to withhold testimony, information, *** document or an item to wit directing his roommate to delete incriminating text messages. Count 6, tampering with *** witness, *** third degree felony in violation of Utah code annotated 76-8-508. In that honor about September 11th, 2025 in Utah County, the defendant, Tyler James Robinson, believed that an official proceeding or investigation was pending or about to be instituted, or intended to prevent an official proceeding or investigation, and attempted to induce or otherwise cause his roommate to withhold testimony or information to wit, directing his roommate to stay silent if the police questioned the roommate. Count seven, violent offense committed in the presence of *** child, *** Class *** misdemeanor in violation of Utah code annotated, 76-3-203.102 and 76-3-203.1438 double I. In that on or about September 10, 2025 in Utah County, the defendant, Tyler James Robinson, committed criminal homicide. In the physical presence of *** child younger than 14 years of age, with knowledge that *** child was present and that may have been seen or heard the commission of of the criminal homicide victim targeting enhancement in violation of Utah code annotated 76-3-203.14. Sub 2 Tyler James Robinson intentionally selected Charlie Kirk because of Tyler James Robinson’s belief or perception regarding Charlie Kirk’s political expression. That concludes reading the information. Mr. Robinson, this case is set. For September 29th at 10:00 a.m. it will be *** waiver hearing. Uh, and I will be the judge assigned to this case, Mr. Robinson, I invite you to join us at that time. Is there anything further, counsel? No, yeah, we’ll have counsel appointed by then. Thank you. Mr. Gander, anything further? Uh, one item, just for clarification, Your Honor, the hearing on the twenty-ninth, is that in person or Webex? Thank you. That is *** great question. It will be via WebEx. OK. Thank you, Judge. All right, I want to thank all parties for being here, and this concludes this hearing at this time, court is in recess.

A Utah judge is expected to decide Tuesday whether to keep prosecutors on the murder case against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus.Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Robinson, 22, who is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.State District Judge Tony Graf has been weighing whether to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office from continuing to prosecute the case.Robinson’s attorneys argue that Chad Grunander, a deputy county attorney working on the case, has a conflict of interest because his adult daughter was in the audience when Kirk was shot.An estimated 3,000 people were at the outdoor rally to hear Kirk when he was struck while taking questions. A co-founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk helped mobilize young people to vote for President Donald Trump. Grunander’s daughter, whose identity has not been disclosed to news media covering the case, testified in court that she did not record video of the shooting or the aftermath. She was looking at the crowd and did not learn until after she ran to safety that it was Kirk who had been shot, she told the court earlier this month.Robinson’s attorneys also argue in court documents that prosecutors were quick to announce their intent to seek the death penalty, which they say is evidence of “strong emotional reactions” that merit disqualification of the entire team.Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray testified this month that he thought about seeking the death penalty before an arrest had been made in the case, and his colleague’s daughter in no way influenced the decision.Graf could decide to keep prosecutors on the case, dismiss them all or dismiss only Grunander.If Utah County prosecutors are disqualified, the case would likely shift to prosecutors in a county with enough resources to handle a big case, such as Salt Lake County, or possibly the state attorney general’s office, Utah Prosecution Council Director Robert Church has said.The judge has been weighing other issues of fairness for Robinson, should he go to trial.Full video recordings of Kirk’s shooting have not been shown in court after defense attorneys objected out of concern that the footage would undermine Robinson’s right to a fair trial.Defense attorneys also seek to keep TV cameras and photographers out of the courtroom, arguing that “highly biased” news outlets risk tainting the case. Prosecutors, attorneys for news organizations and Kirk’s widow have urged Graf to keep the proceedings open.___Associated Press writer Mead Gruver contributed from Fort Collins, Colorado.

SALT LAKE CITY —

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Robinson, 22, who is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

State District Judge Tony Graf has been weighing whether to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office from continuing to prosecute the case.

Robinson’s attorneys argue that Chad Grunander, a deputy county attorney working on the case, has a conflict of interest because his adult daughter was in the audience when Kirk was shot.

An estimated 3,000 people were at the outdoor rally to hear Kirk when he was struck while taking questions. A co-founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk helped mobilize young people to vote for President Donald Trump.

Grunander’s daughter, whose identity has not been disclosed to news media covering the case, testified in court that she did not record video of the shooting or the aftermath. She was looking at the crowd and did not learn until after she ran to safety that it was Kirk who had been shot, she told the court earlier this month.

Robinson’s attorneys also argue in court documents that prosecutors were quick to announce their intent to seek the death penalty, which they say is evidence of “strong emotional reactions” that merit disqualification of the entire team.

Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray testified this month that he thought about seeking the death penalty before an arrest had been made in the case, and his colleague’s daughter in no way influenced the decision.

Graf could decide to keep prosecutors on the case, dismiss them all or dismiss only Grunander.

If Utah County prosecutors are disqualified, the case would likely shift to prosecutors in a county with enough resources to handle a big case, such as Salt Lake County, or possibly the state attorney general’s office, Utah Prosecution Council Director Robert Church has said.

The judge has been weighing other issues of fairness for Robinson, should he go to trial.

Full video recordings of Kirk’s shooting have not been shown in court after defense attorneys objected out of concern that the footage would undermine Robinson’s right to a fair trial.

Defense attorneys also seek to keep TV cameras and photographers out of the courtroom, arguing that “highly biased” news outlets risk tainting the case. Prosecutors, attorneys for news organizations and Kirk’s widow have urged Graf to keep the proceedings open.

___

Associated Press writer Mead Gruver contributed from Fort Collins, Colorado.