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Kirk Suspect Faces Death Penalty For Aggravated Murder Charge

Bonisiwe Shabane
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kirk suspect faces death penalty for aggravated murder charge

Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah university, appeared before a judge by video from jail on Tuesday. Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder and could face the death penalty if convicted of killing Kirk. PROVO, Utah (AP) — Prosecutors brought a murder charge Tuesday against the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk and outlined evidence, including a text message confession to his partner and a note left beforehand... This photo released by the Utah Governor’s Office on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 shows Tyler Robinson. (Utah Governor’s Office via AP)

DNA on the trigger of the rifle that killed Kirk also matched that of Tyler Robinson, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said while outlining the evidence and announcing charges that could result in the... The prosecutor said Robinson, 22, wrote in one text that he spent more than a week planning the attack on Kirk, a prominent force in politics credited with energizing the Republican youth movement and... Prosecutors have filed a notice to seek the death penalty for Robinson. Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating conservative influencer Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, has been formally charged with a slew of offenses, including aggravated murder, with prosecutors announcing the intent to seek the death penalty. Robinson, 22, has also been charged with felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of...

Gray, who described Kirk's death as "an American tragedy," said he does not "take this decision lightly" in regard to seeking the death penalty for Robinson. The suspected shooter will continue to be held without bail. Robinson made his first appearance in court virtually on Tuesday, where a judge read off the suspect’s charges. He will remain in custody. Tyler Robinson, the suspect accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was charged Tuesday with aggravated murder after Robinson reportedly confessed to the attack in online messages and turned himself in to law... Robinson, 22, faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violence offense in...

Gray said he would seek the death penalty for Robinson in the case. Gray alleged Robinson directed his romantic partner he lived with to delete text messages and “stay silent if police questioned him.” In an accompanying court filing, prosecutors said DNA “consistent with” Robinson was found on the trigger of the rifle believed to have been used in the shooting. Prosecutors charged Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing prominent conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, with aggravated murder on Tuesday and announced they would seek the death penalty. Kirk’s assassination six days ago at an event at Utah Valley University sent shockwaves across the country and is the latest incident of violence tearing through American politics. Utah County prosecutors charged Robinson through an information document rather than an indictment.

An information court document allows prosecutors to charge someone directly and requires a probable cause hearing, during which a judge determines if there is sufficient evidence to proceed. The charging document for the 22-year-old suspect outlines evidence collected by investigators, including DNA on the suspected murder weapon and a texted confession. Here are the key takeaways from the charging document. Tyler Robinson, the suspected assassin of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, makes his first court appearance. PROVO, Utah – The man accused of shooting and killing conservative speaker Charlie Kirk made his first court appearance Tuesday, just hours after prosecutors formally announced charges in the high-profile case. Tyler Robinson, the alleged shooter, appeared virtually, wearing what was described as a "restrained garment."

The Washington County Sheriff told Fox News Robinson's garment was known as a "suicide watch smock, designed not to tear." Judge Tony Graf asked Robinson to state his name and the suspect replied, "Tyler James Robinson." Robinson otherwise did not speak during the hearing, when he looked stoic and detached and remained emotionless as... The Atlanta Voice has stood as a pillar of truth, empowerment, and advocacy in Metro Atlanta for six decades. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we invite you to invest in independent journalism that serves YOU. Every dollar fuels our mission to keep our stories alive. (CNN) — PROVO, UTAH — Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, appeared virtually for his first court hearing since he was formally charged with aggravated murder on September...

Judge Tony F. Graf said Tuesday that Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk, will remain in custody, without bail. “Mr. Robinson at this time, you will remain in custody, without bail,” Graf said. Graf said he reviewed Robinson’s financial situation and found that he is “indigent,” meaning he cannot afford legal fees. Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utah man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was charged on Tuesday with aggravated murder, a prosecutor announced, saying Robinson left behind his DNA on the trigger of the...

The charge means Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted of killing Kirk last week at Utah Valley University in Orem, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City. "The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy," Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said in announcing the charges. He said Robinson's DNA was found on the trigger of the gun used to kill Kirk. Kirk was gunned down on September 10 as he spoke with students and died soon after. Prosecutors allege Robinson shot Kirk in the neck with a bolt-action rifle from the roof of a nearby campus building. A Utah Valley University police officer was watching the university campus crowd from an "elevated position" and identified the roof of the Losee Center as a potential position for a shooter, Gray said.

The officer found evidence on the roof immediately, he said, and spurred officers to direct their attention to surveillance video leading to the roof. The conclusion of Robinson's first court appearance ends an extraordinary day here in Utah, as prosecutors unveiled seven charges over the killing of Charlie Kirk and said they would seek the death penalty. This is only the beginning of what will likely be a long-running and highly scrutinised legal process. It could be some time before Robinson stands trial, if the case progresses to that stage. Prosecutors and law enforcement are also still investigating the case, which could take weeks or months. Given Charlie Kirk's prominence, the stakes are high for authorities leading the charge on this case.

We’re now closing our live coverage. You can head to our news story for a comprehensive read of what’s happened today, or take a look at our profile piece on the suspect, Tyler Robinson. During an earlier news conference, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said Tyler Robinson – who is accused of murdering Charlie Kirk - was in a “romantic relationship” with his roommate, a “biological male… undergoing...

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