Utah County Legal professional Basic Jeff Grey stated Tuesday that the state will search the loss of life penalty towards the man accused of fatally capturing Charlie Kirk final week at a college occasion, saying seven state fees together with aggravated homicide.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested Thursday in Kirk’s assassination. The conservative activist’s loss of life jolted the nation, reigniting considerations about rising political violence within the U.S., whereas additionally prompting partisan finger-pointing over what was accountable.
“The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy,” Grey stated at a press convention.
“Charlie Kirk was murdered while engaging in one of our most sacred and cherished American rights, the bedrock of our democratic republic, the free exchange of ideas in a search for truth, understanding and a more perfect union,” he added.
On prime of the homicide cost, Robinson faces counts of felony discharge of a firearm inflicting critical bodily damage, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and fee of a violent offense within the presence of a kid.
The costs had not been formally filed on the time of publication.
Grey stated the state is additional alleging aggravating elements on the homicide and firearm fees as a result of Robinson is believed to have “targeted” Kirk based mostly on his political expression and did so understanding that youngsters have been current.
Robinson’s first courtroom look is scheduled to be held nearly Tuesday afternoon. It was not instantly clear whether or not Robinson has a protection lawyer. He has been held with out bail since his arrest.
President Trump has referred to as for the loss of life penalty within the wake of Kirk’s killing however Grey stated the choice was one he made “independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime.”
Searching for the loss of life penalty triggers a prolonged authorized course of that may embrace a two-part trial, the place a jury could be tasked not solely with figuring out Robinson’s guilt, but additionally whether or not the info of the case make him eligible for execution.
Robinson in any other case faces a most sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed whereas giving a chat at Utah Valley College final week. Whereas answering an viewers member’s query about gun violence, a single bullet struck his neck. Graphic video clips of the second went viral on-line, amplifying the violent act.
The founding father of Turning Level USA, Kirk is broadly credited with serving to Trump take again the White Home in 2024 by harnessing conservative youth. His supporters have hailed him as a martyr.
Robinson was taken into custody after a 33-hour search that concerned the overview of 11,000 completely different suggestions, legislation enforcement stated final week. He was tracked down after implying involvement to his father, who contacted a household good friend, who then informed authorities.
Cox stated at a information convention final week that Robinson turned “more political” within the lead-up to the capturing, telling relations at one level that he was conscious of Kirk’s upcoming go to to Utah and believed the influencer was “spreading hate.”
Investigators discovered bullet casings engraved with messaging that appeared to reference web meme tradition and anti-fascist efforts. Court docket filings final week additionally referenced conversations Robinson allegedly had together with his roommate about needing to get well a rifle he left wrapped in a towel in a bush.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated on “Fox & Friends” on Monday that the company collected DNA proof linking Robinson to a towel used to wrap the rifle allegedly utilized in Kirk’s killing and a screwdriver discovered on the scene.
Robinson and the roommate he corresponded with have been in a romantic relationship, Cox stated. The Utah governor confirmed the roommate is transgender however warned that Robinson’s motive is just not but clear and stated the roommate has been “very cooperative” with legislation enforcement.
Officers have publicly speculated that Robinson was “radicalized” on-line and holds a “leftist ideology.”
The Washington Put up reported that Robinson allegedly confessed to fatally capturing Kirk in an internet Discord chat group. The 22-year-old has no prior convictions, based on a public security evaluation report.
Kirk’s assassination was the newest in a string of assaults towards outstanding political figures from each events in recent times, together with two makes an attempt on Trump’s life and the assassination of former Minnesota Home Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) in June.
