Seven charges facing Charlie Kirk's alleged killer as he speaks in court for first time
Tyler Robinson was likely a name that most hadn't heard of a week ago, but with the 22-year-old being implicated in the murder of Charlie Kirk, he's been thrust into the limelight.
Kirk had been speaking at Utah Valley University as part of his American Comeback Tour on September 10, and while discussing gun violence, he was hit in the neck by a bullet that was fired from the roof of a campus visitor center. As the FBI and other agencies scrambled to find the shooter, it's said that Tyler Robinson eventually handed himself in to authorities.
Who is Tyler Robinson?
Details are slowly coming out about Tyler Robinson, who was reportedly raised in a Republican household. Studying as a third-year student in the electrical apprenticeship programme at Dixie Technical College, Robinson had previously been enrolled at UVU for a semester.
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Robinson's grandmother is shocked by the idea that her grandson could be the shooter, although Utah's Governor Spencer Cox claims that Robinson had become 'more political' in recent years, as well as discussing Kirk over a family dinner.
There are swirling theories about motive, with Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray telling a press conference that Robinson was "becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights orientated," as well as claims about his roommate.
Robinson made his first court appearance on September 16, speaking only three words.
What charges does Tyler Robinson face?
While Tyler Robinson was a man of few words at his first court hearing, Judge Tony Graf thanked him for appearing. As County Prosecutor Jeff Gray says they'll push for the death penalty, Robinson faces seven state charges.
The alleged shooter didn't enter a plea during his first hearing and remains in custody without bail for the foreseeable future. The court is also looking to appoint a court attorney ahead of his next hearing on September 29.
Prosecutors remain adamant that apparent confessions, a text conversation with his roommate, and DNA evidence found on a rifle will implicate him in the political commentator's murder.
The seven charges Robinson faces are aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and two counts of obstruction of justice for moving a firearm and disposing of clothing. He's also looking at two further counts of witness tampering due to texts to his roommate that supposedly say 'delete messages' and telling them to 'stay quiet'. The seventh count is for committing a violent crime when children are present.
These charges were listed in official court documents, with the county attorney reiterating: "The purpose of the preliminary hearing is not to determine guilt, but simply to assure the court that the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed to trial."
A defendant can sometimes waive a preliminary hearing, but it's unknown whether Robinson will do this ahead of September 29. Unless the judge rules that the preliminary hearing shows there's enough evidence to move forward, a plea won't be entered.
Could Tyler Robinson face further charges?
The big question is whether Robinson could also face federal charges. The Justice Department has apparently already thought about bringing federal charges against Robinson, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche telling Fox News Monday it's still being considered. Blanche explained: "There’s not that many murder charges that are federal.
"There’s stalking, there is certain deprivation of rights charges that we possibly could bring. But that goes after going through all the evidence and trying to understand what was this man’s motivation was in doing what he did. And if there’s a federal charge we will bring it — no doubt about it."
He concluded: "But if there’s not a federal charge, we’re gonna do everything we can to support Utah and make sure that they get everything they need from us."