Utah judge sets 2028 trial date for Charlie Kirk killing

A Utah judge on Monday set a June 2028 trial date for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of murdering prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk last year.



Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts, including aggravated murder, in the shooting of Kirk as the conservative held one of his trademark debates at Utah Valley University in Orem.



Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf set jury selection for the trial for June 21, 2028, after Robinson's attorneys requested a late 2029 date to give them time to challenge Utah's request for the death penalty, gather additional evidence and seek a change of venue.



Robinson's lawyers expect a six-to-seven-month trial.



Prosecutors had sought a date of January 31, 2028 to start what they expect to be a 17-week trial for the shooting death of Kirk, an ally of President Donald Trump.



In a separate filing, Erika Kirk, Kirk's widow requested the trial to start in 2027 to speed what she described as a painful legal process.