Defense moves to block death penalty in Charlie Kirk killing
What's next: A Utah judge is set to decide by Sept. 1 whether the aggravated murder case against Tyler Robinson goes to trial.
Lawyers for Tyler Robinson asked a Utah judge to remove the death penalty from the case over the 2025 fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. In a filing made public Tuesday, the defense argued prosecutors failed to show Robinson knowingly put anyone besides Kirk at risk, a required aggravating factor for capital punishment under state law. The filing says the single bullet traveled above the crowd and struck its target, while prosecutors argue people near Kirk were in a danger zone because a missed or ricocheting shot could have hit others. Robinson, 23, is charged with aggravated murder and has not entered a plea. Judge Tony Graf Jr. is expected to rule Sept. 1 on whether the case proceeds to trial.