Charlie Kirk murder suspect pleads not guilty, court allows prosecutors to seek death penalty

Tyler Robinson, 23, who is accused of murdering American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has declared his innocence.

Meanwhile, a court in the state of Utah allowed prosecutors to seek the death penalty for him if he is found guilty.

Robinson faces charges on seven counts, including aggravated murder. In the state of Utah, this crime can be punishable by death. According to the prosecution, Robinson shot Kirk during a public event at Utah Valley University in the city of Orem on September 10, 2025.

During Tuesday's hearing, the defendant appeared in court in the city of Provo in a gray suit. Throughout the proceedings, he periodically consulted with his attorneys. In the end, Robinson pleaded not guilty on all of the charges brought against him.

The defense insisted that the death penalty be excluded from the list of possible punishments. However, the prosecution opposed this demand, pointing to the circumstances of the crime, which, in its view, allow it to seek the ultimate punishment. In particular, prosecutors drew attention to the fact that the shooting occurred into a crowd of people, among whom there were children.

Charlie Kirk, who was 31 years old at the time of his death, was a co-founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA and one of the prominent representatives of the American conservative movement. He was fatally wounded by a shot to the neck while speaking before students and participants of the event at Utah Valley University.

Present at the court hearing were the deceased's widow, Erika Kirk, who is raising two children, as well as the activist's parents, Robert and Kathryn.

After the hearing, the Kirk family issued a statement in which it called the court's decision an important stage in the case of his murder. The relatives stated that they would continue to seek justice.

Now the trial in Robinson's case will continue with the possibility of the death penalty being imposed as punishment, if the prosecution is able to prove his guilt and the aggravating circumstances.

Source: BBC