A Utah judge determined that conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, will stand trial for murder and associated charges.
Robinson, 23, appeared in court in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, September 1, for the conclusion of his preliminary hearing. The prosecution and defense gave their closing arguments before State District Judge Tony Graf ruled that Robinson’s case would go to trial. He faces the death penalty if convicted.
In a statement shared with Us, the Kirk family said the decision was “an important step in our family’s pursuit of justice for him.”
“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,” they said. “We are grateful to all who have continued to pray for us, support us, and stand with us through a year of unimaginable grief.”
The statement continued, “As the next phase of the judicial process begins, our family remains united in our love for Charlie, our commitment to the pursuit of justice, and our prayer for a transparent and timely process.”
Prosecutors argued on Tuesday that Robinson’s decision to fire a high-powered rifle toward a crowded courtyard at Utah Valley University endangered thousands of people and warranted an aggravated murder charge with the death penalty.
Meanwhile, the defense argued that shooting a single bullet did not establish a greater risk to bystanders or prove a calculated political motive.
Robinson entered a not guilty plea before the judge made his decision.
Robinson was back in a Provo, Utah, courtroom on Tuesday, September 1, after State District Judge Tony Graf temporarily adjourned a week of preliminary hearings in July. He has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and violent offense in the presence of a child, plus two counts of obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Robinson surrendered to officers from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Hurricane, Utah, two days after he allegedly fatally shot Kirk while the controversial conservative firebrand was taking part in a forum on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10, 2025. (Kirk was 31 at the time of his death.)
The Washington, Utah, native made his first in-person appearance in court in December 2025 where he was observed openly smiling during the proceedings. His attorneys have since petitioned the court to ban media access during a potential murder trial.
Following July’s temporary court adjournment, the Kirk family called the preliminary hearings an “important step forward” on the path to justice.
“Our family is grateful for the prayers, support, and kindness that has been extended to us, especially through these unimaginably painful and emotionally demanding proceedings,” his family told Us in a statement on July 10. “As difficult as these last few days have been, it brings our family comfort to know that the world has witnessed the overwhelming evidence of what occurred to Charlie that day.”
The Kirk family statement concluded, “Nothing will ever undo the loss of our beloved Charlie. As this case moves into its next phase, we pray that truth will continue to be heard through a process that is fair, transparent, and grounded in the facts.”
Charlie was survived by his wife, Erika Kirk, and two children. Erika, 37, replaced Charlie as the chairwoman and CEO of his conservative activist group Turning Point USA following his death.
A public memorial for Charlie was held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21, 2025, with President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and other prominent conservatives in attendance. While delivering her eulogy for Charlie, Erika told the crowd that she forgave her husband’s alleged killer.
“I forgive him because it is what Christ did,” Erika told the mourners in attendance. “The answer to hate is not hate.”
