PROVO, Utah — Tyler Robinson, a 23-year-old from Utah charged with the assassination of Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA event last year, still doesn’t have a trial date. A judge in Utah recently listened to arguments from both the defense and the prosecution, along with a lawyer representing Kirk’s widow, regarding their timing needs for the trial.
Robinson appeared in court dressed in a light gray suit, and while he was uncuffed and unshackled, he didn’t speak publicly. Instead, he had quiet conversations with his attorneys during breaks, once even passing a note to one of them.
Judge Tony Graf Jr. originally intended to set a trial date by the end of the hearing. However, he decided to hold off after discussing the timelines of both sides and their other court commitments.
Jeffrey Neiman, who represents Kirk’s widow, Erika, urged the court to expedite the process. It’s worth noting that Robinson only entered a plea last month, nearly a year after the charges were brought against him.
Neiman expressed concern, saying, “Justice delayed this long stops being justice for the Kirk family.” He emphasized that uncertainty and prolonged delays would only undermine confidence in the judicial system.
The hearing lasted about three hours and faced a few interruptions due to technical issues, with some attorneys attending remotely.
Prosecutors from Utah County suggested January 31, 2028, as their preferred trial date but indicated they could also prepare for October 2027.
Defense attorney Staci Visser noted the complexity of pretrial litigation, mentioning there are over 31,000 pieces of discovery and “8 million” artifacts of digital evidence to sift through. She pointed out the necessity of ample time to conduct reviews and file any necessary motions, stating that the proposed January 2028 date is “not practical.”
The defense has proposed a “soft target” date in the third quarter of 2029, citing trial commitments in other cases and the sheer volume of material needing review. There’s also the concern that a trial running through the holiday season could complicate attendance for jurors and witnesses.
Neiman acknowledged that rescheduling a conflicting federal case could help. Under Utah law, victims and their representatives are entitled to a prompt resolution of their cases, and Erika Kirk serves as the designated representative.
Robinson’s defense attorney argued that rushing the trial would not bring about closure and could lead to mistakes. Judge Graf expressed concern that further delays could arise if he doesn’t set a date soon.
Neiman reiterated the pressing need for urgency, stating that prolonged delays are not in the best interest of the family. He emphasized time is a significant advantage for the defense, and added poignantly that no matter when the trial occurs, Charlie Kirk will not be able to celebrate Christmas with his family.
Graf scheduled the next hearing for November 9 at 1 p.m. MT, during which he plans to provide a ruling on the trial date.
