SALT LAKE CITY, UT — The man accused of killing conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson, 22, appeared virtually for his first court hearing today and will remain in custody without bail. Prosecutors announced they will be seeking the death penalty in the case.
According to charging documents, Robinson has been formally charged with aggravated murder and six other counts. New documents filed by the Utah County attorney also show Robinson confessed to the murder in a series of text messages sent to his roommate after the attack. Robinson’s mother told investigators that her son had recently become more politically active and was leaning towards being “pro-gay and trans-rights oriented”. She also stated that Robinson had begun dating his roommate, a “biological male who was transitioning genders”.
At the hearing, Judge Tony F. Graf granted a pre-trial protective order for Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, which Utah County prosecutors filed. The judge also determined that Robinson is “indigent,” meaning he cannot afford legal fees, and provisionally appointed an attorney to represent him. The lawyer’s qualifications must be filed with the court before the next hearing.
The next hearing for Robinson is scheduled for September 29 at 10 a.m. local time and will be held via WebEx.
On September 10, at 12:23 p.m., Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking at an American Comeback Tour event. Sitting under a tent displaying the tour title, Kirk was in a back-and-forth exchange with a UVU student about mass shootings in the United States. A single shot was fired during the exchange, which hit Kirk in the neck.
FBI Director Discusses Probe into Kirk’s Murder
During a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, FBI Director Kash Patel addressed questions about the investigation into Kirk’s murder. Patel informed lawmakers that the FBI is currently interviewing more than 20 people who were part of an online chat with Robinson.
