Judge Puts Off Decision on Trial Date in Robinson Murder Case; Defense Seeks 2029 Trial
PROVO, Utah — A Utah judge on October 23 said he needed more time to decide when to start the trial of Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. At a hearing in Provo, District Court Judge Tony Graf heard arguments from defense lawyers, prosecutors and a lawyer for Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, before saying he needed to consider their positions; he set a new hearing for November 9.
Robinson's attorneys have asked for a late 2029 trial to give them time to challenge the death penalty request, gather additional evidence and seek a change of venue, and expect a six-to-seven-month trial. Prosecutors sought a January 31, 2028 start for what they expect to be a 17-week trial. In a separate filing, Erika Kirk said the defense request was "grossly out of line with comparable cases" and asked that the trial start no later than October 4, 2027. Shortly before the hearing, President Donald Trump slammed Graf's handling of the case in a social media post, saying it should be tried within a month.
Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts, including aggravated murder, for allegedly shooting Kirk as he held one of his trademark debates at Utah Valley University in Orem in September 2025. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Source: GSM·America
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：普罗沃第四司法区法院大楼，本案听证举行地。摄影：Farragutful，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: the Fourth Judicial District Courthouse in Provo, where the hearing was held, by Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
