Law & Justice
Charlie Kirk suspect pleads not guilty, US media say
Tyler James Robinson, the 23-year-old defendant accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, pleaded not guilty after a Utah judge ruled that he must stand trial for murder, US media reported.
Judge Tony Graf ruled Tuesday that prosecutors had enough evidence for the case to proceed, saying Robinson was “bound over for trial” based on the court record and the parties' submissions.
Robinson faces the death penalty in Utah over the killing of Kirk, 31, who was shot in the neck during a rally on a college campus on September 10, 2025.
At a preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented video game chats and text messages that they said showed Robinson killed Kirk because he was “fed up” with the “hate” spread by the influencer. The defense focused on questioning DNA evidence that prosecutors say links Robinson to the murder weapon.
The event where Kirk was killed was planned by Turning Point, his right-wing youth organization, which campaigned for President Donald Trump in 2024. The group is now led by Kirk's wife, Erika Kirk, who said the ruling was an important step in her family's pursuit of justice for him.
Update
US media reported that Tyler James Robinson pleaded not guilty after the judge's ruling.
Robinson faces the death penalty in Utah if convicted.
Prosecutors presented video game chats and text messages that they said showed Robinson killed Kirk because he was fed up with hate spread by the influencer.
The defense focused on challenging DNA evidence linking Robinson to the murder weapon.
Erika Kirk said the ruling was an important step in her family's pursuit of justice.
Source note: AFP news report published on 2 September 2026 at 02:21:08 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Robinson's not-guilty plea is attributed to unspecified US media in the supplied information.
The defense disputes the strength of the DNA evidence cited by prosecutors.
Source
AFP news report published on .