A Utah judge on Monday scheduled the trial of Tyler Robinson, who is accused of the 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, to begin on June 21, 2028. Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated murder and could face the death penalty if convicted.
The scheduling decision follows a series of competing requests regarding the trial timeline. Attorneys for Erika Kirk, the widow of the deceased, requested a trial start date no later than October 4, 2027. Prosecutors suggested January 2028 to avoid the winter holiday season, while Robinson's defense team requested a date in the third quarter of 2029, citing the need to review extensive discovery materials.
Judge Tony Graf of the Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, selected the June 2028 date. The court has allotted 105 days for the trial proceedings. To monitor progress, the judge scheduled monthly status conferences and a specific hearing for April 11, 2028, to confirm if both sides are prepared for jury selection, which is preceded by a May 3, 2028, deadline for jury questionnaires.
Prosecutors allege that Robinson shot Kirk on September 10, 2025, while Kirk was speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University. The state claims the shooting was politically motivated, citing a text message allegedly sent by Robinson and an engraved message on a bullet. Robinson's defense team stated in court filings that they must review tens of thousands of files and conduct a thorough investigation into Robinson’s life to identify mitigating factors for sentencing.
The outcome of this case directly affects Tyler Robinson, who faces three potential sentencing outcomes if convicted of aggravated murder: the death penalty, life in prison without the possibility of parole, or a prison term of 25 years to life with the possibility of parole. The Kirk family released a statement describing the delay as "deeply disappointing" and stating that the wait prolongs their lack of accountability for the death.
The legal proceedings involve 105 scheduled court days and the processing of tens of thousands of discovery files by the defense. This volume of evidence was the primary reason cited by defense attorneys for requesting a trial date as late as 2029. The case also carries political weight, as Kirk assisted in mobilizing voters during the 2024 election. Donald Trump has commented on the proceedings, criticizing the timeline and calling for the trial to occur more quickly.
The trial will Establish a record for how Utah courts handle cases involving alleged political violence and the balance between a victim's right to a speedy trial and a defendant's right to review evidence. The next major public steps in this case include status conferences and the preparation for jury selection in May 2028. The trial itself is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on June 21, 2028, in Provo, Utah.