Defense Seeks 2029 Trial as Prosecutors Propose January 2028 Start
Defense proposes a 2029 trial date for Tyler Robinson, while prosecutors and Kirk's widow's attorneys push for earlier dates.
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Charlie Kirk Killing Prosecution
Tyler Robinson faces aggravated murder charges over the 2025 killing of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Defense attorneys have proposed a 2029 trial date, citing the volume of case files and the time needed for mitigation investigation and jury selection. Kirk's widow Erika Kirk's attorneys called the proposal absurd. Utah County prosecutors anticipated a 17-week trial, said they would be ready by October 2027, and proposed a January 31, 2028 start. Judge Tony Graf scheduled a hearing for October 23, 2026 to set the trial date. President Trump called for a trial within a month.
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2026-10-24 to 2026-10-25 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 24 Oct, 01:50 UTC
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What happened
Attorneys for Kirk's widow describe the defense's proposed schedule as absurd
Attorneys for Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, described the defense's proposed trial schedule as absurd and stated that the defendant is trying to delay the proceedings.
Donald Trump posts that the case should be tried within a month
President Donald Trump posted on social media before the scheduled hearing that the case should be tried within a month and criticized the judge's pace of questioning.
Tyler Robinson turned himself in one day after the Kirk shooting
Tyler Robinson, 23, turned himself in to authorities one day after the shooting that killed Charlie Kirk.
Under the defense schedule, Kirk's children would be six and eight when the trial ends
Charlie Kirk's two children were one and three years old at the time of his killing. Under the defense's proposed schedule, they would be six and eight years old when the trial concludes.
Defense says it must review tens of thousands of case files
Defense attorneys for Tyler Robinson stated in court filings that they must review tens of thousands of files turned over by prosecutors.
Prosecutors anticipate a 17-week trial and say they will be ready by October 2027
Utah County prosecutors anticipated a 17-week trial in court filings and stated that they would be ready for trial by October 2027.
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed in 2025 while speaking to a crowd of several thousand people at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Tyler Robinson pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder in Kirk's killing
Tyler Robinson pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder in the killing of Charlie Kirk. He could be eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
Defense attorneys propose a 2029 trial date in the Kirk killing case
Defense attorneys for Tyler Robinson proposed a trial date in 2029, stating that they need that long to prepare the case.
Defense cites mitigation investigation and jury selection as reasons for extended timeline
Defense attorneys for Tyler Robinson stated that they must conduct extensive investigations into Robinson's life for mitigating factors that could affect sentencing, and must devote substantial time to jury selection.
Utah County prosecutors allege Robinson targeted Kirk for his political beliefs
Utah County prosecutors allege that Tyler Robinson targeted Charlie Kirk for his political beliefs, citing a bullet found in the rifle used in the killing that was engraved with the words 'Hey Facist! CATCH!' and a text message from Robinson stating 'I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out.'
Attorneys for Erika Kirk propose a trial start in October 2027
Attorneys for Erika Kirk proposed that the trial begin in October 2027, the earliest date identified by prosecutors.
Prosecutors propose a trial start date of January 31, 2028
Utah County prosecutors proposed that the trial begin on January 31, 2028, avoiding the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Judge Tony Graf schedules a hearing to set the trial date
Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf scheduled a hearing for Friday, October 23, 2026, to set a trial date in the case against Tyler Robinson.
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