The man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk now faces capital murder charges, as Utah prosecutors on Tuesday, September 16, outlined evidence against Tyler Robinson and confirmed plans to seek the death penalty. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray called Charlie Kirk’s assassination “an American tragedy.”
Charging documents reviewed by CNN revealed that the suspect confessed in a series of messages sent to his roommate after the attack. According to the filings, Robinson’s mother told investigators that he had become increasingly political and leaned left, “becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.”She further stated that Robinson “began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders.”
Robinson, 22, made his first appearance Tuesday, September 16, in a Utah County courtroom, where Fourth District Judge Tony Graf Jr. read out the seven charges he faces: felony aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of felony obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, as per the court documents reviewed by CNN.
Prosecutors allege Robinson targeted Kirk, the popular right-wing activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, during a Sept. 10 event at Utah Valley University because of his “political expression.”
“Charlie Kirk was murdered while engaging in one of our most sacred and cherished American rights, the bedrock of our democratic republic, the free exchange of ideas and a search for truth, understanding, and a more perfect union,” Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said at a news conference earlier in the day, as reported by CNN
Gray also announced that he intends to seek the death penalty, a decision he said was made “based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime.”
Robinson, who was wearing an anti-suicide vest and appeared via videolink, looked emotionless. As per The Epoch Times, he appeared unshaven. An attorney had not yet been assigned to represent him. The charges were read to him, and he was informed that he could face the death penalty or be sentenced to life in prison.
His next court date is set for Sept. 29, and no defense counsel was appointed for Robinson. The judge ordered him held without bond.
The capital aggravated murder charge means Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted in the Kirk killing. Because prosecutors “are seeking the death penalty,” Gray recommended that Robinson be held without bail.
According to charging documents cited by NBC News, prosecutors detailed a series of text messages between Tyler Robinson and his roommate that appeared to implicate him in the crime. In one exchange, Robinson allegedly told his roommate to “drop what you are doing” and retrieve a note hidden beneath his keyboard.
“I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” the note read, according to the documents.
The messages were reportedly sent after Robinson allegedly shot Kirk, changed his clothes, and hid the rifle, a weapon he identified in the texts as belonging to his grandfather.
When the roommate asked why he killed Kirk, Robinson allegedly responded: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
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Charging documents reviewed by CNN revealed that the suspect confessed in a series of messages sent to his roommate after the attack. According to the filings, Robinson’s mother told investigators that he had become increasingly political and leaned left, “becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.”She further stated that Robinson “began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders.”
The charges against Tyler Robinson
Robinson, 22, made his first appearance Tuesday, September 16, in a Utah County courtroom, where Fourth District Judge Tony Graf Jr. read out the seven charges he faces: felony aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of felony obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, as per the court documents reviewed by CNN.
Prosecutors allege Robinson targeted Kirk, the popular right-wing activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, during a Sept. 10 event at Utah Valley University because of his “political expression.”
“Charlie Kirk was murdered while engaging in one of our most sacred and cherished American rights, the bedrock of our democratic republic, the free exchange of ideas and a search for truth, understanding, and a more perfect union,” Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said at a news conference earlier in the day, as reported by CNN
Gray also announced that he intends to seek the death penalty, a decision he said was made “based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime.”
Robinson appeared virtually
Robinson, who was wearing an anti-suicide vest and appeared via videolink, looked emotionless. As per The Epoch Times, he appeared unshaven. An attorney had not yet been assigned to represent him. The charges were read to him, and he was informed that he could face the death penalty or be sentenced to life in prison.
His next court date is set for Sept. 29, and no defense counsel was appointed for Robinson. The judge ordered him held without bond.
The capital aggravated murder charge means Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted in the Kirk killing. Because prosecutors “are seeking the death penalty,” Gray recommended that Robinson be held without bail.
Text to romantic roommate
According to charging documents cited by NBC News, prosecutors detailed a series of text messages between Tyler Robinson and his roommate that appeared to implicate him in the crime. In one exchange, Robinson allegedly told his roommate to “drop what you are doing” and retrieve a note hidden beneath his keyboard.
“I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” the note read, according to the documents.
The messages were reportedly sent after Robinson allegedly shot Kirk, changed his clothes, and hid the rifle, a weapon he identified in the texts as belonging to his grandfather.
When the roommate asked why he killed Kirk, Robinson allegedly responded: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
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