A Utah judge on Monday set June 21, 2028, as the start date for the aggravated-murder trial of Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old who has pleaded not guilty to shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an appearance before several thousand people at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.1
The charge carries possible penalties of the death penalty, life in prison without parole, or 25 years to life in prison with parole. Utah County prosecutors allege Robinson targeted Kirk for his political beliefs. His lawyers have not offered alternative theories for Charlie Kirk's death. Court proceedings so far have already lasted more than a year.1
The date falls between three competing proposals. Attorneys for Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, asked last month for a trial no later than Oct. 4, 2027. Prosecutors proposed January 2028, rather than hold the proceedings during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Robinson's lawyers asked for the third quarter of 2029, citing massive amounts of discovery. Judge Tony Graf on Monday set a date between the three requests.1
The court has allotted 105 court days for the trial, with monthly pretrial status conferences going forward to "protect the constitutional rights at stake."1
A hearing is also scheduled for April 11, 2028, during which the court will decide whether attorneys for both sides can complete the essential work before jury selection. Jury questionnaires are due May 3, 2028. Trial proceedings are set to begin at 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 4B in the Fourth District courthouse in Provo, Utah.1
In September, Graf decided in favor of prosecutors who say they have enough evidence against Robinson to put the 23-year-old on trial on a charge of aggravated murder. Robinson is accused of gunning down Charlie Kirk, 31, as the activist spoke to several thousand people at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.1
Kirk was shot while addressing the university audience on Sept. 10, 2025. Robinson turned himself in a day after the shooting. His lawyers have not offered alternative theories for Kirk's death.1
Prosecutors say a bullet found in the rifle used to kill Kirk was engraved with the words "Hey Facist! CATCH!" They also say Robinson wrote in a text message about Kirk: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."1
Robinson's attorneys said in court filings this week that they must sift through tens of thousands of files turned over by prosecutors. They said they plan extensive investigation into Robinson's life in a search for mitigating factors that could influence his sentence if he is convicted. They also said they expect to devote "substantial time" to issues such as jury selection.1
Kirk helped galvanize young voters around Trump during the 2024 election. Trump weighed in on the trial in a social media post last month, saying Robinson should be tried "within a month." Trump criticized Graf, a former prosecutor appointed as a judge last year, for "taking forever to ask questions that people already know the answer to."1
