- Tyler Robinson, 22, faces charges including aggravated murder in the killing of Charlie Kirk.
- The state is seeking the death penalty; Robinson's next court appearance is Sept. 29.
- Federal charges could follow; while a trial could start next year, delays are likely.
SALT LAKE CITY — The case against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, is still taking form as criminal charges were brought just days ago by Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray.
However, the state has made clear it is seeking the death penalty.
In the case presented at his first appearance before 4th District Judge Tony Graf, prosecutors filed seven charges, including aggravated murder, violent offense in the presence of a child and witness tampering.
Kirk was shot and killed during a "Prove Me Wrong" debate at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Robinson allegedly shot Kirk from the roof of the Losee Center, a building next to the grassy amphitheater at UVU where Kirk was interacting with an estimated 3,000 students and visitors.
Robinson was apprehended at approximately 10 p.m. in Washington, Washington County, on Sept. 11 after a statewide manhunt was carried out.
Robinson appeared virtually in Utah's 4th District Court, located in Provo, on Tuesday and heard the charges against him.
Graf noted that Robinson is indigent, meaning he can't afford legal representation, so the judge assigned counsel to Robinson.
Robinson's next court appearance is set for Sept. 29. Robinson is entitled to a preliminary hearing under Utah law, where the judge will decide if the prosecution has enough evidence for him to stand trial. An arraignment will then follow, and Robinson will enter either a guilty or not guilty plea for all of the charges.
Because the case involves a single defendant and a single shot fired, the trial could begin as early as next year, according to the Wall Street Journal. However, because the death penalty is on the table, proceedings could be delayed.
Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News on Tuesday that he hopes the public understands that both the state charges and potential federal charges will be taken seriously and not rushed.
"I hope folks realize," Blanche said, "that this is a process, and this is something that is so serious for us to make sure that we're leaving no stone unturned, and that we're doing everything that we can to find out everything about what happened to this case."
He also didn't confirm whether federal charges were to be filed, but noted that there is no rush, and that there is "zero competition between us and Utah."
"Justice for Charlie means justice period, whether it's Utah, whether it's the feds, whether it's both."
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Emma Pitts
