In September of the previous year, political activist Charlie Kirk lost his life in a tragic incident during a college debate at Utah Valley University (UVU).
The fatal shot, which led to Kirk being declared dead at a nearby hospital, was discharged by a sniper positioned on a rooftop adjacent to the college campus at approximately 12.20pm. This occurred while Kirk was addressing questions concerning mass shootings and gun violence.
After being struck in the neck, Kirk was quickly transported to the hospital by his security team. President Donald Trump later confirmed Kirk’s death in a Truth Social post.
In the aftermath of an extensive search by law enforcement, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, was apprehended and charged with aggravated murder.
Prosecutors have announced their intention to pursue the death penalty in this case.
At the time of this incident, Robinson was enrolled as a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College.
Although Robinson was not attending UVU at the time, a university spokesperson confirmed that he had been a student there for one semester in 2021.
According to public records accessed by the BBC, Robinson’s political stance in the past was unaffiliated or nonpartisan, while his parents are registered as Republicans.
Robinson faces charges of aggravated murder, and prosecutors have expressed their intention to seek the death penalty. As of now, Robinson has not entered a plea.
Robinson appeared in court on Friday (January 16) as his defense team sought to disqualify the prosecutors due to an alleged conflict of interest.
The defense argues that a conflict of interest exists because a child of one of the prosecutors was present at the event, claiming this as grounds for disqualification.
The prosecutor’s family member was reportedly within 85 feet of Kirk when the shooting occurred.
However, prosecutors have countered this motion, dismissing it as a ‘delay tactic’. Defense attorney Richard Novak maintained that the motion was based on legal grounds, asserting ‘we firmly believe that the law supports the conclusion that that particular prosecutor should have been screened off.’
The county attorney’s office has refuted claims of a conflict of interest, stating that the family member ‘did not witness Charlie being shot’ and ‘did not see anyone [in the crowd or elsewhere] with a gun.’
The defense suggested that the swift decision to seek the death penalty may have been emotionally influenced, as explained in their motion: “The rush to seek death in this case evidences strong emotional reactions.”
The attorney’s office defended their actions by stating that ‘there is nothing unusual or untoward about filing a death penalty notice before a preliminary hearing.’
CNN reports that Robinson’s arraignment will occur post his preliminary hearing.
This hearing is scheduled to commence on May 18 and will last for three days.