USA-SHOOTING/KIRK-DEATH PENALTY

17/9/2025 18:31

Tyler Robinson, was charged with assassinating Kirk while the activist was speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem.



The prosecutor said Robinson was charged with aggravated murder because he put others at great risk of death, targeted Kirk for his political expression and knew children would witness the homicide.



The prosecutor said he would seek the death penalty. If a jury were to find Robinson guilty, his legal team would be able to present mitigating factors to argue against the death penalty, such as any childhood trauma or mental health issues.



In the United States, juries impose death sentences, usually in a separate penalty phase of a trial after a defendant is convicted.



Juries must be unanimous to impose the death penalty, except in Florida, where eight of 12 jurors must agree on the death penalty, and in Alabama, where 10 of 12 jurors must support the death penalty.



The U.S. Supreme Court in 1976 allowed executions to resume after a nationwide moratorium had briefly been in place. The next year, Utah executed Gary Gilmore by firing squad for two murders.