Tyler Robinson’s defense is asking to put his capital trial in 2029, while Utah County prosecutors and the lawyer for Charlie Kirk’s widow have proposed earlier dates, leaving a wide gap over how quickly the case should proceed.
The Independent reported Friday that Robinson’s attorneys say preparations in the death-penalty case will take several more years. Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder.
He is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, at a Utah Valley University event attended by thousands last year. The Independent said Robinson surrendered to authorities the following day. A conviction could bring a death sentence.
The defense points to the work ahead: reviewing tens of thousands of prosecution files, investigating Robinson’s background for information that could weigh against a death sentence, and choosing a jury. In a Wednesday filing, the lawyers said a firm forecast for when preparation would be complete would risk “false precision.”
Utah County prosecutors say they could be ready to try the case by October 2027. They proposed Jan. 31, 2028, as the opening date, saying it would avoid the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Prosecutors estimate the trial would last 17 weeks.
Jeffrey Neiman, attorney for Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, asked Judge Tony Graf to begin the case in October 2027. The Independent reported that Neiman argued a longer delay would prolong uncertainty for the couple’s two children. They were one and three when Kirk was killed; Neiman wrote that they would be six and eight when a trial under the defense plan ended, facing uncertainty “longer than they had their father in their lives.”
Neiman also accused Robinson of deliberately seeking to delay the proceedings, The Independent reported.
The three proposed starts span October 2027 to 2029. That range puts the court’s choice between Neiman’s request for an earlier resolution and the defense’s position that it needs a longer preparation period.
The Independent said Judge Tony Graf was scheduled to hold a hearing Friday to set the trial date.
