Judge Schedules 2028 Trial for Charlie Kirk Murder Case
A Utah judge set jury selection for June 2028 after weighing requests from both sides and pressure from the president.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
A Utah judge set a 105-day trial for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with proceedings starting in June 2028. The schedule follows a one-year legal process that included conflicting demands from the defense and the victim's family.
District Judge Tony Graf made the ruling on Monday. He rejected the defense proposal for a 2029 start and the family's push for an October 2027 start. The judge aimed to balance the defendant's preparation time with the widow's desire for a swift resolution.
The timeline began on September 10, 2025, when Tyler Robinson, 23, shot Kirk during a speech at Utah Valley University. Several thousand people attended the event. Robinson turned himself in the following day. He pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder.
Prosecutors alleged that Robinson targeted Kirk for his political views. They pointed to a bullet engraved with the words “Hey Facist! CATCH!” as evidence. They also cited a text message from Robinson that read, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Erika Kirk’s attorney, Jeffrey Neiman, called the 2028 date slow. He stated that the family feels three years is not speedy enough. The Kirk family released a statement calling the decision a delay. They said every extra day without justice prolongs their pain.
The defense team declined to comment after the hearing. Their filings noted they must review tens of thousands of files from prosecutors. They plan to investigate Robinson’s life for mitigating factors and spend substantial time on jury selection.
President Donald Trump recently urged for a faster trial. He posted on social media that Robinson should be tried within a month. The president criticized Judge Graf for taking too long to ask questions people already know the answer to. Robinson faces the death penalty if convicted.
The trial will begin with jury selection on June 21, 2028. Prosecutors had said they could be ready by October 2027 but proposed a January 2028 start to avoid the holiday season.
