Defense Asks Judge in Charlie Kirk Slaying Case to Block Death Penalty

Judge Tony Graf presides over a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo, Utah, on April 17, 2026. Trent Nelson/Pool via Reuters

During an unusual June 12 hearing, lawyers for Tyler James Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, asked a Utah judge to prevent prosecutors from pursuing the death penalty.

Attorney Richard Novak said sanction would blunt the impact of prosecutors’ allegedly improper public statements, which may have tainted potential jurors.