Charlie Kirk's murder: Tyler Robinson pleads not guilty as Utah judge approves death penalty trial

Utah District Judge Tony Graf ruled that prosecutors presented overwhelming evidence to move the case forward, clearing the path for a capital trial on aggravated murder charges.

Twenty-three-year-old Tyler Robinson formally pleaded not guilty to all seven charges, which include aggravated murder, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice.

State prosecutors argue that Robinson targeted conservative activist Charlie Kirk due to his political beliefs, firing a high-powered rifle from a rooftop over 400 feet away into a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University.

They established an aggravating factor for the death penalty by arguing that the long-range shot placed others in the open-air venue at a severe risk of death.

Robinson’s defense team sought to remove the death penalty from consideration, arguing that prosecutors failed to prove the single shot endangered anyone other than Kirk or that a definitive political motive was established.

Case files and court hearings featured surveillance footage, DNA linking Robinson to the recovered rifle, and a handwritten note left for his roommate stating, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it”.

Tyler Robinson was charged with aggravated murder and six other counts, including tampering with evidence.

Because of these aggravated murder charges, the suspect could face the death penalty if convicted.