A Utah judge is expected to set a trial date in Charlie Kirk’s killing

A Utah judge is set to determine the trial date for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, on Monday. Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of aggravated murder in Kirk's death, which occurred on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University. Kirk, 31, was giving a speech to thousands of people at the university when he was shot.

Attorneys for Robinson have proposed a trial beginning in 2029, but Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf faces pressure from Kirk's family and supporters, including President Donald Trump, to expedite the legal process. Kirk's family and supporters believe the proceedings should move forward more quickly, as they have already exceeded a year.

Robinson turned himself in a day after the shooting, and his defense team has not presented any alternative theories for Kirk's death. If convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty. Prosecutors anticipate a 17-week trial and are ready to begin proceedings by October 2027, rather than during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. They have proposed starting the trial in January 2028.

Kirk was a prominent conservative activist who helped mobilize young voters around former President Donald Trump during the 2024 election. In a recent social media post, Trump urged Robinson to be tried "within a month." Kirk's wife, Erika, has also spoken out about the trial, stating that dragging it out for years would violate her right to a speedy trial under Utah law as a victim. Her attorney, Jeffrey Neiman, expressed this concern during court proceedings.