Robinson trial date expected to be set in Utah capital murder case
Defense seeks 2029 start while prosecutors and the victim's widow push for earlier dates.
By Diego Mendoza ·
Judge Tony Graf of the Utah District Court is expected to establish a trial date for Tyler Robinson on Monday. The 23-year-old suspect faces capital murder charges for the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10, 2025.
The scheduling dispute centers on the proposed start dates for the high-profile case. Defense attorneys have filed a memo requesting a trial start in the third quarter of 2029. They argue this timeline aligns with other capital cases in the state and account for a six to seven month trial duration. The defense also cited the need for substantial time for jury selection and a pending venue study.
Prosecutors have presented a faster timeline. Their filing states they could be ready to proceed as soon as Oct. 4, 2027. However, they recommended a start date of Jan. 31, 2028, to avoid the winter holidays and the worst of the winter season. The state anticipates the trial will last 17 weeks.
Kirk's family has urged the court to move even faster. In a motion filed on behalf of Erika Kirk, the family requested a trial start as early as Oct. 4, 2027. Erika Kirk asked the court to enforce the right to a speedy disposition to avoid needless delay. The motion noted that under the defense's proposed 2029 schedule, Kirk's children, who were one and three at the time of the shooting, will be six and eight by the time the trial concludes.
The family's filing argued that a delayed trial would impose a great cost to Utah taxpayers. It also stated that each hearing induces anxiety and pain for the family. The motion emphasized that the children would face the uncertainty of the criminal proceeding for a longer period than they had their father in their lives.
Robinson is accused of firing a rifle from a building rooftop approximately 415 feet from where Kirk was speaking. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Judge Graf previously found probable cause for the aggravated murder charge, which allows prosecutors to pursue the death penalty due to the reasonable risk of death to others.
In addition to the capital murder charge, Robinson faces counts for felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. The hearing scheduled for Monday afternoon will determine the final schedule for these proceedings.
