Judge to decide if Tyler Robinson will go to trial in Charlie Kirk murder case

A probable cause court hearing is slated for Tuesday to determine whether Tyler Robinson, accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, should go to trial. Robinson is seen here last December, during a hearing in Provo, Utah. Rick Egan/Pool/Getty Images hide caption

A Utah judge is slated to hear arguments Tuesday to decide whether there is probable cause to justify a murder trial for Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk last fall.

The hearing comes after months of legal wrangling, in a case where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Robinson, 23.

District Judge Tony Graf Jr. is scheduled to begin hearing oral arguments at 10 a.m. local time in the courthouse in Provo, Utah. The proceeding is due to be livestreamed by Salt Lake City TV channel KUTV , despite objections from Robinson's lawyers, who say such coverage jeopardizes his right to a fair trial.

Kirk was fatally shot on Sept. 10, 2025, at a rally held at Utah Valley University. The 31-year-old was in Orem, Utah, to kick off his American Comeback Tour. Some 3,000 people were on hand, and were listening to Kirk speak when he was shot, police said .

Authorities said video footage showed Robinson, who then lived in Washington County, Utah, arriving and moving around on the campus, as member station KUER reported . They also say he mentioned needing to retrieve his rifle in messages with his then-roommate, with whom Robinson had a romantic relationship.

On the morning after the killing, investigators found a Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle that they believe to be the murder weapon.

Prosecutors say Robinson has confessed to killing Kirk, citing a note he left for his roommate and other interactions. Robinson was arrested after a relative turned him in to police, saying the young man "had confessed or implied that he was the shooter," as NPR reported .