Judge to Set Trial Date for Charlie Kirk Murder Case Next Month
Defense team proposes 2029 start, but prosecutors seek a January 2028 trial and President Trump urges a one-month timeline.
By Robert Ward ·
The trial in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk could begin as early as January 2028, according to court filings submitted by prosecutors. Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf is scheduled to set the formal trial date on Monday in Provo.
The schedule represents a major point of contention between the state and the defense. Prosecutors anticipate a 17-week trial and stated they would be prepared to proceed by October 2027. They proposed a January 2028 start to avoid the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods.
Defense attorneys for Tyler Robinson, 23, have proposed a start date in 2029. Robinson pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder after killing Kirk, 31, on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University. Robinson turned himself in the day after the shooting. His legal team has not presented an alternative theory for the death.
Pressure to expedite the process has mounted from Kirk’s family and political allies. Jeffrey Neiman, an attorney for Kirk’s wife, Erika, argued the trial should begin next October. Neiman stated that delaying proceedings for years would violate Erika Kirk’s speedy trial rights under Utah law as a victim.
President Donald Trump weighed in on the case via social media last month. He suggested Robinson should be tried within one month. Trump criticized Judge Graf, a former prosecutor appointed last year, for taking too long to resolve questions the public already knows the answer to.
Prosecutors allege Robinson targeted Kirk because of his political beliefs. They noted that a bullet recovered from the rifle used in the killing was engraved with the words “Hey Facist! CATCH!” Robinson also wrote in a text message about Kirk: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Robinson faces potential capital punishment if convicted. His lawyers said in filings this week that they need to review tens of thousands of files provided by the state. They plan to investigate Robinson’s life for mitigating factors and dedicate substantial time to jury selection.
