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When Charlie Kirk is accused of alleged assassin Taylor James Robinson, With the official unveiling this week, they will show whether prosecutors can seek the death penalty, as Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has repeatedly raised it in recent days.
Robinson, a 22-year-old from the southern part of the state, is currently on bail in Utah jail. He was accused of climbing up the roof of Utah Valley University and shooting and killing Kirk from about 200 yards away before fleeing nearby and heading home to Washington, Utah.
“In view of the early stages of this investigation, and the fact that the investigation is underway, we cannot comment on the specific allegations we will make,” Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said in a statement over the weekend. “However, we do expect these allegations may be consistent with preliminary allegations supporting Mr. Robinson’s booking to jail.”
This split image shows the assassin Tyler James Robinson on the left and the victim Charlie Kirk, the founder of the American Turnaround Point. (Governor Spencer Cox’s office; AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The charges in the affidavit include aggravated murder, felony release of firearms and obstruction of justice. Aggravated murder is crucial if prosecutors intend to seek death penalty Cox appeals Since Kirk was assassinated Wednesday.
Gray said the maximum sentence for serious murder is the death penalty. Under state law, prosecutors need to prove the “aggravation” factor. If they do not have one, the maximum sentence will be sentenced to regular murder.
There are many aggravated factors, for example, if multiple people are killed or the victim is a police officer or someone under the age of 14.
Charlie Kirk speaks before being shot dead while visiting Utah University in Orem, Utah on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Tess Crowley/deseret News AP)
But, according to California defense attorney and Fox News contributor Joshua Ritter, the law appears to have taken only a narrow approach to finding aggravated people in Kirk’s murder. Prosecutors will have to convince jurors that the shooting poses a “serious risk” to bystanders in the crowd.
“At the end of the day, it’s an allegation, and that’s not to say the whole case depends on that,” he told Fox News Digital. “If the jury thinks that the allegation is correct, it’s the game. They’ll have to argue with the jury, and there are a lot of people around him who will shoot 200 yards…and that could put others in danger. It’s a pretty easy argument for me.”
Legal analysts call for more arrests in Charlie Kirk assassination
A split shows four newly released photos of Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. (Utah Public Safety)
To seek the death penalty, the prosecutor must also formally notify the court within 60 days of the charge.
“I think all they have to do is accus him aggravated murder,“Rite said. “I don’t know if they have to specify through which theory, but they might specify, ‘Add murder according to this code’ etc. and give us a better idea.”
The disorder charge can be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, and the release of felony crimes with gun counts could result in five years in prison.
Gray said the allegations will be outlined in the official “crime information” document and can be filed before Tuesday or Friday if prosecutors think they need extra time.
Charlie Kirk after Utah assassination
The map shows Orem, Utah, the assassination shooting in Kirk, St. George, Utah, the suspect was detained on September 12, 2025. (Fox News)
“Every stage of this case, we will go thoroughly and intentionally,” Gray said.
After the official information is submitted, Robinson will appear in court for the first time and the charging documents will be made public. After that, Gray’s office is expected to hold a press conference and make other updates.
It is not clear whether Robinson has an attorney as of Monday morning.
A Gray Dodge Challenger parked in the driveway of Tyler Robinson’s home in Washington, Utah on Friday, September 12, 2025. Robinson reportedly sent the Gray Dodge Challenger to UVU on the day he allegedly assassinated Charlie Kirk. (Derek Shakes Fox News Numbers)
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President Donald Trump Last week, he said that if Robinson was convicted, he hoped he would be sentenced to death. The alleged killer may also face federal charges in a separate lawsuit and may face another potential death penalty.
Kirk is a 31-year-old father The turning point of the United StatesIt is a national organization organized by national conservatives, aiming to bring more young people to the Republican Party. He was shot dead at an event sponsored by TPUSA and UVU campus chapters.
