Tyler James Robinson Murder Trial Set for June 2028 in Utah Court

The murder trial of Tyler James Robinson, accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is scheduled to begin in June 2028 and last approximately five months, Utah District Judge Tony Graf announced on Monday. The judge allocated 105 court days for the proceedings, striking a compromise between the opposing sides. The defense had requested to start the trial in 2029 with a seven-month schedule, while Utah County prosecutors pushed for an earlier date, estimating a four-month duration.

Robinson, 23, faces seven felony charges, including aggravated murder, in connection with the September 10, 2025, death of Kirk. He has pleaded not guilty, and prosecutors have announced they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted. Judge Graf ruled in September that sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial, and Robinson will remain in custody until proceedings begin.

Ahead of the trial, both parties are expected to file preliminary motions regarding admissible evidence and testimony for the jury. Attorneys have indicated that key issues will include Utah death penalty laws, DNA testing methods, and whether a fair trial can be conducted in Utah County. Jeffrey Naiman, an attorney representing the Kirk family, urged adherence to the schedule while noting that the state constitution guarantees victims the right to a speedy resolution, adding that a trial in the summer of 2028 does not feel particularly fast for the family. The next hearing is set for January 14.

Kirk was shot and fatally wounded on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a mass event at Utah Valley University as part of a campus tour for the conservative youth organization he co-founded. Robinson turned himself in to police the following day after messaging friends that he was responsible for the shooting.