Tyler Robinson Adds California Defense Attorneys To Charlie Kirk

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Nov 18, 2025, 2:08 AM

tyler robinson adds california defense attorneys to charlie kirk

Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray details the charges facing Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, on ‘Hannity.’ PROVO, Utah — A Utah court has finalized the legal team behind suspected Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson, adding two seasoned California defense attorneys to back his Utah lawyer, Kathy Nester. They are Michael Burt, of San Francisco, and Richard Novak, of Pasadena, who were both granted permission by the court to appear on Robinson's behalf at his latest hearing Monday. "In a case like this, many lawyers will shy away from the defense due to the notoriety," said Mark Geragos, one of the country's leading defense attorneys. "That is actually the exact wrong instinct and contrary to your duty as a lawyer, which is to zealously defend and not be dissuaded by those things." One of those attorneys, Burt, has almost five decades of experience as a criminal defense lawyer.

PROVO, Utah — A Utah court has finalized the legal team behind suspected Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson, adding two seasoned California defense attorneys to back his Utah lawyer, Kathy Nester. They are Michael Burt, of San Francisco, and Richard Novak, of Pasadena, who were both granted permission by the court to appear on Robinson’s behalf at his latest hearing Monday. “In a case like this, many lawyers will shy away from the defense due to the notoriety,” said Mark Geragos, one of the country’s leading defense attorneys. “That is actually the exact wrong instinct and contrary to your duty as a lawyer, which is to zealously defend and not be dissuaded by those things.” One of those attorneys, Burt, has almost five decades of experience as a criminal defense lawyer. Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect in the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, appears by camera before 4th District Court Judge Tony Graf on Tuesday, Sept.

16, 2025, for his initial court appearance in Provo, Utah. (Scott G Winterton/Pool via Deseret News) The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk will have an experienced team of lawyers representing him in the high-profile capital murder case. Utah County hired three attorneys to represent Tyler James Robinson after 4th District Court Judge Tony Graf found he doesn’t have the financial means to pay a lawyer. Salt Lake City attorney Kathryn N. Nester is the lead counsel, while Michael N.

Burt and Richard G. Novak, both of California, are co-counsel. All have substantial experience in death penalty cases. Robinson allegedly shot Kirk with a high-powered rifle from a rooftop as the conservative political activist spoke at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. At the urging of his parents and a family friend, Robinson turned himself in to police near his home in Washington County, Utah, the next day.

Authorities announced the arrest in a press conference Sept. 12. Robinson, 22, is charged with aggravated murder and six other crimes in connection with the fatal shooting. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray is pursuing the death penalty. The clock is ticking for Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old facing Utah’s death penalty after allegedly shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as a court just handed him a trio of sharp defense lawyers to navigate... Robinson appeared in Provo’s 4th District Court on Monday, where Judge Tony Graf officially appointed the team to represent him in this explosive case.

Kathy Nester, a Salt Lake City veteran with over 30 years in federal and state trials, steps up as lead counsel from her firm Nester Lewis PLLC. Joining her from California are Michael Burt, a San Francisco specialist known for dismantling death penalty bids in high-profile cases, and Richard Novak, a Pasadena defender with deep roots in complex capital defenses through... Tyler Robinson, facing death penalty for allegedly murdering Charlie Kirk, has three court-appointed attorneys: Kathy Nester in Utah, Richard Novak & Michael Burt in California.They’re experienced: I met Burt in Idaho 12 years ago... pic.twitter.com/VvZFpB8eds All three cleared the court’s strict bar for capital cases, blending decades of experience to meet Utah’s rules on felony defenses. Nester, Burt, and Novak introduced themselves at the hearing, confirming Robinson’s presence via video from jail.

The judge temporarily greenlit Burt and Novak’s out-of-state entry, locking in the full squad. The lawyers wasted no time pushing back on the prosecution’s pace. They asked to hold off on a preliminary hearing, pointing to truckloads of digital evidence like videos and forensics set to drop soon. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty in the case. A defense attorney has been appointed to represent Tyler Robinson, who is charged with shooting and killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an appearance at a Utah university earlier this month. Kathryn Nester was chosen to represent Robinson under a contract with the Utah County Commission, which appoints lawyers for defendants who cannot afford private counsel.

"This action fulfills the Commission’s constitutional responsibility to ensure that individuals accused of a crime—who cannot afford legal representation—are provided with a qualified defense," Utah County officials said in a statement announcing the appointment. Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder, 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... PROVO, Utah -- An attorney for an 22-year-old man charged with killing Charlie Kirk asked a judge Monday for more time to review the large amount of evidence in the case before deciding if... A preliminary hearing would determine if there is enough evidence against Tyler Robinson to go forward with a trial. Defendants can waive that step, but Robinson's newly appointed attorney Kathryn Nester said her team did not intend to do so. Utah prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder and plan to seek the death penalty.

Both the defense and prosecution acknowledged at a brief hearing Monday that the amount of evidence that prosecutors have is "voluminous." Robinson was not present for the hearing and appeared via audio from jail... Judge Tony Graf set the next hearing for Oct. 30. Utah prosecutors said on Tuesday they will seek the death penalty for the suspect in conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination. LiveNOW's Christina Evans breaks down the details from the latest update with legal analyst Jeremy Rosenthal. Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during a campus speech earlier this month, finally has a defense attorney.

Kathryn Nester, a former federal public defender with more than 30 years of experience, is spearheading the defense, according to a Utah County spokesperson. Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two, was facing a crowd at Utah Valley University as part of a national speaking tour when a sniper's bullet struck him in the neck in the campus courtyard. In a news release on Wednesday, officials announced Robinson's attorney was approved by the Utah County Commission. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty in the case. A defense attorney has been appointed to represent Tyler Robinson, who is charged with shooting and killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an appearance at a Utah university earlier this month. Kathryn Nester was chosen to represent Robinson under a contract with the Utah County Commission, which appoints lawyers for defendants who cannot afford private counsel.

"This action fulfills the Commission’s constitutional responsibility to ensure that individuals accused of a crime—who cannot afford legal representation—are provided with a qualified defense," Utah County officials said in a statement announcing the appointment. Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder, 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... Utah authorities have announced seven charges against the suspect accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Officials said they will seek the death penalty. An attorney for an 22-year-old man charged with killing Charlie Kirk asked a judge Monday for more time to review the large amount of evidence in the case before deciding if the defense will... A preliminary hearing would determine if there is enough evidence against Tyler Robinson to go forward with a trial.

Defendants can waive that step, but Robinson's newly appointed attorney Kathryn Nester said her team did not intend to do so. Stream Los Angeles News for free, 24/7, wherever you are. Utah prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder and plan to seek the death penalty. The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk will have an experienced team of lawyers representing him in the high-profile capital murder case. Utah County hired three attorneys to represent Tyler James Robinson after 4th District Court Judge Tony Graf found he doesn’t have the financial means to pay a lawyer. Salt Lake City attorney Kathryn N.

Nester is the lead counsel, while Michael N. Burt and Richard G. The Daily Journal search functionality is currently unavailable. We will have this back up as soon as possible. Three top California criminal defense attorneys will represent Tyler Robinson in Utah, where he faces the death penalty if convicted of murdering activist and debater Charlie Kirk. Three California attorneys -- each a nationally recognized criminal defense expert -- make up the court-appointed team defending Tyler Robinson, who is charged with murdering Christian conservative activist and debater Charlie Kirk.

Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted. Michael N. Burt, editor-in-chief of the "California Death Penalty Defense Manual," and Richard G. Novak, a former public defender with experience as lead or co-lead counsel in 25 death-eligi... Or access this article for $45 (Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)

(Scott G. Winterton | Pool) Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect in the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, appears by camera before Judge Tony Graf in Utah's 4th District Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 for his initial appearance. Utah County officials announced Wednesday afternoon that the county has contracted with a prominent public defender to represent Tyler James Robinson, the 22-year-old man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Utah County Commission on Wednesday approved the contract for defense attorney Kathryn Nester to represent Robinson. He is accused of shooting Kirk, the controversial Turning Point USA founder, on Sept.

10 while Kirk was speaking in front of thousands at Utah Valley University. Robinson faces a potential death penalty if he is convicted. Utah County prosecutors charged him with seven counts, including aggravated murder. He also faces charges accusing him of illegally discharging a firearm, obstructing justice, witness tampering and committing violence in the presence of children. During his first court appearance last week, a judge found that Robinson could not afford his own attorney — so Utah County is now constitutionally required to foot the bill. The lead defense attorney,Kathryn Nester, has officially been appointed by the court for Tyler Robinson, who was booked into jail after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

The defense team and prosecutors met withFourth District Court Judge Tony Graf in Provo for a waiver hearing on Monday, September 29, 2025. (Pool Photo) PROVO, Utah (KUTV) — The lead defense attorney has officially been appointed by the court for Tyler Robinson, who was booked into jail after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Robinson was arrested after the September 10 shooting during Kirk's visit to Utah Valley University. Due to security issues, he listened in to the waiver hearing from the Utah County Jail Monday morning. The hearing lasted just over 10 minutes.

Tyler Robinson Adds California Defense Attorneys To Charlie Kirk

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