Lawyer for suspect in Charlie Kirk killing wants more time to review evidence
A lawyer for 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with killing Charlie Kirk, has requested more time to review the extensive amount of evidence in the case before deciding whether the defense will seek a preliminary hearing.
A preliminary hearing would determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. While defendants can waive this step, Robinson’s newly appointed lawyer, Kathryn Nester, stated that her team does not intend to do so.
Utah prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder and plan to seek the death penalty. Both the defense and prosecution acknowledged during a brief hearing on Monday that the volume of evidence prosecutors possess is substantial. Judge Tony Graf set the next hearing for October 30.
Defense lawyers for Robinson and prosecutors with the Utah County Attorney’s Office declined to comment after Monday’s hearing, which took place in Provo. The location is just a few miles from the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, where many students are still processing the trauma from the September 10 shooting and the subsequent day-and-a-half manhunt for the suspect.
Authorities arrested Robinson when he arrived with his parents at his hometown sheriff’s office in southwestern Utah, over three hours’ drive from the site of the shooting, to surrender himself.
Prosecutors have since revealed incriminating text messages and DNA evidence that they say link Robinson to the killing. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray told reporters before the first hearing that Robinson left a note for his partner before the shooting. The note expressed that Robinson had the opportunity to kill “one of the nation’s leading conservative voices,” and that he was going to take it.
Mr. Gray also disclosed a text Robinson wrote about Mr. Kirk to his partner: “I had enough of his hatred.”
The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a close ally of former President Donald Trump who worked to mobilize young voters toward conservatism, has galvanized Republicans. Many have vowed to continue his mission of steering American politics further to the right.
Mr. Trump has declared Mr. Kirk a “martyr for freedom” and threatened to crack down on what he termed the “radical left.”
Across the United States, individuals—including teachers, public and private employees, and media personalities—have faced punishment or termination for speaking out about Mr. Kirk following his death. Notably, Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was temporarily suspended and then reinstated by ABC after comments regarding Mr. Kirk.
Mr. Kirk’s political organization, Arizona-based Turning Point USA, was instrumental in introducing young, evangelical Christians into politics through his podcast, social media, and campus events.
In the wake of his death, many prominent Republicans are stepping in to fill Mr. Kirk’s role at upcoming campus events he had planned. Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Senator Mike Lee are scheduled to appear at Utah State University on Tuesday to continue his advocacy.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/lawyer-for-suspect-in-charlie-kirk-killing-wants-more-time-to-review-evidence-1812704.html
