Tyler Robinson, the individual accused in the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, is set to appear in court on Friday. His attorney is aiming to disqualify the prosecutors from the case due to an alleged conflict of interest.
Documents filed in court indicate that Robinson’s legal team claims a personal connection exists that “raises serious concerns about past and future prosecutorial decision-making.” This is in reference to the 18-year-old child of a deputy county attorney who was reportedly at the campus event where Kirk was shot.
Following the tragic incident at Utah Valley University on September 10, the child sent a text to their father, who works at the Utah County Attorney’s Office, detailing the chaotic moments during the shooting, according to statements from both prosecutors and defense lawyers.
However, prosecutors have noted in an affidavit that the deputy county attorney’s child did not actually witness the shooting at the outdoor event that drew around 3,000 attendees.
The affidavit included a message from the boy to his father, mentioning, “As I looked around the crowd while the second person in line was talking to Charlie, I heard a loud pop and someone yelled ‘I’ve been shot.’
The message continued as he told the family group chat, “Charlie got shot,” adding he had not missed any classes or activities due to the incident, only expressing he was “scared at the time.”
Reports suggest that if convicted, prosecutors might seek the death penalty for Robinson, a 22-year-old charged with aggravated murder in relation to the shooting of the conservative figure. He has yet to enter a plea.
Robinson’s defense team has also argued that the prosecutors moved hastily to seek the death penalty, indicating this reflects a “strong emotional reaction” that they believe should lead to the disqualification of the entire team.
In response, prosecutors have urged District Judge Tony Graf to reject the defense’s disqualification request. “Under these circumstances, there is virtually no risk, much less significant risk, of creating such emotion that the father prosecutor would not be able to fairly prosecute the case,” Utah State Attorney Jeffrey Gray remarked.
Gray added that the child in question was “not a material witness or victim in the case,” stating that “almost everything” they knew about the actual murder was hearsay.
Previously, prosecutors noted that DNA evidence and text messages tied Robinson to the crime. He reportedly informed his transgender partner, Lance Twiggs, that he targeted Kirk because he was “tired of the hate.”
Robinson’s legal team has also tried to limit media access in the case. Judge Graf has prohibited media from publishing photos or videos of suspects in custody but has yet to decide on a request to ban cameras in court.
On a different note, Erica Kirk, the widow of the victim, has asked Judge Graf to permit news cameras in the courtroom during Robinson’s upcoming trial. “When my husband was murdered, there were cameras everywhere,” she told Fox News’ Jesse Watters in November, referring to how the media covered the grief of her friends and family.
A preliminary hearing where prosecutors are expected to build their case against Robinson is scheduled to begin on May 18.
Meanwhile, Robinson’s transgender girlfriend hasn’t faced any charges, but authorities have stated she is no longer under FBI protection. There has been no official explanation given regarding the termination of her protection.
