Man accused of killing Charlie Kirk pleads not guilty to murder charge

Tyler Robinson, 23, accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge on Tuesday. Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf ruled that Robinson would face trial on all seven charges, including aggravated murder, which carries the death penalty in Utah. Prosecutors presented overwhelming evidence, including cellphone video and photographs, showing Robinson taking up a sniper position at Utah Valley University and firing a single shot that killed Kirk, 31, while he was holding one of his campus debates.

DNA evidence linking Robinson to the murder weapon was also presented. Robinson's defense lawyers argued that the shooting did not meet the standard for a death penalty charge and that only Kirk was endangered. Kirk's parents and wife were present in the courtroom, along with his co-founder of Turning Point USA, Robert and Kathryn Kirk.