A Utah judge ruled Tuesday that Tyler Robinson will stand trial for the killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Fourth District Court Judge Tony Graf issued that ruling in Provo following closing arguments that came after a five-day preliminary hearing held in July. Graf found that prosecutors met the probable cause standard required under Utah law, which is a lower bar than the proof beyond a reasonable doubt required at trial. The standard only requires the state to show probable cause that a crime occurred and that the defendant committed it.
Robinson, 23, faces seven counts in total. They include aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.
Crucially, Graf also ruled in favor of the aggravated murder count, which makes the case eligible for capital punishment. Prosecutors have stated their intention to seek the death penalty on that charge. Under Utah law, that charge applies when a killing creates a great risk of death to other people nearby.
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem. The event drew thousands of attendees.
As originally reported, prosecutors presented campus surveillance footage during both the July hearing and Tuesday’s arguments. They said the video tracked Robinson’s movements before, during, and after the shooting.
Prosecutors also presented DNA evidence they said connected Robinson to a rifle recovered near the scene. Additional evidence included a handwritten note and text messages that prosecutors described as admissions. Testimony indicated the fatal shot was fired from a rooftop into a crowded plaza below.
Prosecutor Ryan McBride argued that the shooter created a zone of danger for everyone surrounding Kirk at the time of the shooting, including security personnel standing close by. McBride also pointed to extra unfired rounds found in the rifle as evidence of preparedness to shoot again.
The ruling sends the case toward trial, where Robinson will face the full weight of those charges, including the one that could cost him his life.