Utah judge to rule on trial, death penalty for Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

A Utah judge is scheduled to rule Tuesday on whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial for Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university event nearly one year ago. The hearing will also determine whether prosecutors can pursue the death penalty in the case. District Judge Tony Graf Jr. is set to hear closing arguments beginning at 10 a.m. local time in Provo, Utah, before announcing his decision from the bench. The proceeding follows a weeklong preliminary hearing held in early July, during which prosecutors presented evidence they described as overwhelming. A court spokesperson indicated that if Graf finds probable cause for trial, an arraignment could follow, which would be the first time Robinson enters a plea. He has not yet done so. Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at an open-air event at Utah Valley University in Orem. Authorities say Robinson fired a single shot from a rooftop approximately 150 yards away, striking Kirk in front of an estimated 3,000 attendees.