The Utah County Attorney’s office denied Tyler Robinson’s requests to delay his preliminary hearing, citing a lack of evidence. The Attorney’s office says they have enough evidence to move forward with the trial in May.
Robinson, 22, is facing a capital murder charge, which carries a potential death penalty. Robinson is charged with the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, 31, on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University. The hearing is scheduled for May 18, 19 and 21.
A preliminary hearing is where prosecutors present evidence to the judge who then decides whether there is enough evidence and probable cause for the defendant to stand trial.
Robinson’s team states they need more time to properly prepare for the hearing due to the large volume of evidence they have received and are still waiting for more.
Robinson’s motion argued, “Discovery in this case is incomplete, voluminous, and the processing of it is complex.” In his motion, he asked that his preliminary hearing be postponed or canceled until a later date.
The state says the defense attorneys have had the evidence that prosecutors intend to use at the preliminary hearing, and have had the evidence long enough to move forward with the trial.
“To be more precise, as of April 1, 2026, counsel for the state had provided approximately 100% of discoverable material in its possession to the defense. In other words, the defense has what the state has. And much of this discovery was presented long ago,” according to the court filing of the Utah County Attorney’s office.
The defense team says it needs more time for its own review of DNA and other forensic evidence. The defense motion states “the ATF was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr. Robinson. Although the state has not indicated an intent to produce this report at the preliminary hearing, the defense may very well decide to testify to the ATF firearm analyst as exculpatory evidence.”
Other evidence the state says it has shared with Robinson includes “the DNA report analyzing the rifle, rounds found in the rifle, a towel found with the rifle, and a screwdriver found near the sniper’s perch.”
Author: Andrew Streeter
Photo: Bethany Baker, The Salt Lake Tribune via AP News
Editor: Hannah Clove
news@suunews.net
