Defense Seeks to Block Death Penalty in Charlie Kirk Shooting Case
WASHINGTON — Defense lawyers for the Utah man charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk are seeking to block the death penalty, arguing that the single shot hit its intended target and did not endanger anyone else.
Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, 23, laid out their argument in a court filing ahead of a September 1 hearing, in which a judge may decide if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, alleging Robinson knowingly created a risk of death to others when he shot Kirk in front of thousands of people at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10, 2025.
Robinson’s lawyers argued that the single shot from a high-powered, scoped rifle did not create the “high probability” of death to others required under state law as an aggravating factor for the death penalty. Prosecutors contend Robinson fired his grandfather’s rifle from a “sniper pad” above the crowd and loaded four rounds in case he missed on the first shot, knowingly putting others at risk. Robinson has yet to enter a plea in the case. The case is being closely watched as a test of how Utah treats the alleged political killing of a close ally of President Donald Trump.
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