Charlie Kirk murder suspect Tyler Robinson pleads Not Guilty as judge allows death penalty trial

The defendant Tyler Robinson in the conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk murder case has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him; however, the Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf ruled that there was enough evidence to charge him on a capital murder charge.

The new ruling and not guilty plea by the defendant comes nearly a year after the founder of Turning Point USA was killed of a single gunshot wound to his neck. He was shot dead on September 10, 2025 while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.

Robinson has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges against him as prosecutors argued that there was “overwhelming” evidence that the 23-year-old fired a single shot that killed the political activist.

Here are the seven charges against Tyler Robinson:

• Count 1: Aggravated Murder (Capital Felony)
• Count 2: Felony Discharge of a Firearm (First-Degree Felony)
• Count 3: Obstruction of Justice – hiding the rifle (Second-Degree Felony)
• Count 4: Obstruction of Justice – destroying clothing (Second-Degree Felony)
• Count 5: Witness Tampering – deleting text messages (Third-Degree Felony)
• Count 6: Witness Tampering – ordering roommate's silence (Third-Degree Felony)
• Count 7: Violent Offense in the Presence of a Child (Class A Misdemeanor)

The defendant’s lawyers argued that the shooting did not meet the standard for a death penalty charge. Defence lawyer said the assailant only harmed one victim, Charlie Kirk and did not load his weapon to target anyone else in the gathering, arguing that the crime did not warrant capital punishment.

Now, a jury will decide on the matter.

Late activist’s wife Erika Kirk and his parents Robert and Kathryn were in the courtroom during Tuesday’s hearing.

In a statement after the hearing, the Kirk family said: “Today’s decision, which comes nearly a year since Charlie was taken from us, marks an important step ​in our family’s pursuit of justice for him.”