Charlie Kirk murder suspect Tyler Robinson pleads not guilty & faces death penalty after ruling case WILL go to trial

A SUSPECT accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk will stand trial for his murder – and could face the death penalty if convicted. Tyler Robinson, 23, pleaded not guilty to all charges on Tuesday after a judge ruled prosecutors had presented enough evidence for the blockbuster case to move forward. Tyler Robinson (pictured in court in January) will stand trial for the alleged assassination of Charlie Kirk Credit: AP Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 Credit: AP Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride points to Tyler Robinson during the preliminary hearing for Robinson at the 4th District Court on September 1, 2026 in Provo, Utah Credit: Getty Robinson, 23, turned himself in a day after the shooting Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking to a packed crowd at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. Robinson turned himself in to authorities the following day, and his lawyers have not put forward an alternative theory for Kirk’s death. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Almost a year later, Utah Judge Tony Graf ruled on Tuesday that there was probable cause to believe Robinson was responsible for the killing. “The line separating speculation from reasonable inference can be faint,” Graf told the court. Read more on Charlie Kirk But he added that the “evidence is sufficient at this stage to support a reasonable belief at this stage that this is the individual that shot and killed Charlie Kirk.” The ruling means Robinson can now be tried on all seven charges against him, including first-degree murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if he is ultimately convicted. Kirk’s devastated family described the ruling as “an important step in our family’s pursuit of justice.” Most read in The Sun “Every step in this process carries the weight of all that Charlie’s murder has taken from his family, especially his children who will grow up without their father,” they said. Kirk’s parents, Robert and Kathryn, and his widow, Erika, were inside the heavily guarded Provo courthouse as Graf delivered his decision. Erika and her mother-in-law reportedly embraced while the judge read out the ruling. Prosecutors spent five days in July laying out what they described as a “mountain of evidence” allegedly tying Robinson to the shocking daylight killing. Charlie Kirk’s parents, Robert W. Kirk and Kathryn Kirk, arrive for the court hearing of Tyler Robinson on Tuesday Credit: Reuters Charlie Kirk speaking on stage at America Fest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona Credit: AFP They claim he climbed onto a rooftop more than 400 feet away from Kirk before firing a high-powered rifle into an event attended by more than 3,000 people. The prosecution also claims surveillance footage showed Robinson “scouting” the university campus before later returning “dressed to kill”. A figure was allegedly seen climbing onto the roof of a building before the fatal shot was fired at 12:23pm and fleeing toward a wooded area. “Tyler James Robinson shot and killed Charlie Kirk because he disagreed with him, and he did it by firing a high-powered rifle into a crowd of over 3,000 people, which created a great risk of death that anyone would know about,” prosecutor Ryan McBride said. Investigators have also presented DNA evidence they claim links Robinson to the alleged murder weapon and a tool reportedly used to engrave bullet cartridges. Prosecutors further allege Robinson left a handwritten note for his romantic partner reading: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.” They claim he later admitted responsibility in messages, allegedly writing about Kirk: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” Robinson’s lawyers have challenged the strength of the forensic evidence and unsuccessfully fought to prevent the case going to trial – or at least have the death penalty taken off the table. They argued that the single shot fired at Kirk did not put others at sufficient risk to meet the requirements for aggravated murder. “There is one shot. There is one bullet. There is one victim,” defense attorney Staci Visser said. “There is zero evidence that there was any action taken towards other people.” But prosecutors noted that the alleged murder weapon contained additional rounds, claiming Robinson “came prepared to shoot again.” Graf ultimately sided with prosecutors, finding there was enough evidence at this stage for a jury to hear the case. Robinson had no visible reaction as the ruling was delivered, while his mother reportedly appeared tearful. More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun Comment now