Utah Judge Sets June 2028 Trial Date for Charlie Kirk’s Accused Killer
A Utah judge has set a trial date for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, scheduling jury selection to begin on 21 June 2028 — nearly three years after the shooting that stunned American politics.
Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf announced the date on Monday at the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, setting aside 105 court days to hear the case against Tyler Robinson, 23. Robinson has pleaded not guilty to seven counts, including aggravated murder, in the death of Kirk, 31, who was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on 10 September 2025.
The ruling ends months of argument over when the case should be heard, and it leaves Kirk’s family facing a long wait for a verdict in one of the most closely watched high-profile criminal cases in the country.
A compromise between two timelines
Graf’s date falls between the two schedules the parties had proposed. Prosecutors had asked for a trial starting on 31 January 2028, estimating the case would take about 17 weeks. Robinson’s lawyers had sought a start in the third quarter of 2029, saying they needed the extra time to challenge the state’s request for the death penalty, gather evidence and consider a change of venue. They expect a trial lasting six to seven months.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, had pushed for a much earlier date, calling for the trial to be set for 2027. She described the defence request for a 2029 start as “grossly out of line”, according to CNN.
Graf said the complexity and gravity of the case outweighed those calls for speed. He explained that his decision balanced the constitutional rights of Robinson and Kirk’s family, while also taking account of existing court commitments — including a federal racketeering trial involving defence attorney Richard Novak, which is scheduled to begin on 10 January 2028.
Robinson appeared in court for Monday’s scheduling hearing. He remains held without bail.
The charges and the death penalty
Robinson faces seven counts: aggravated murder, felony use of a firearm, committing a violent offence in the presence of a child, witness tampering and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
Prosecutors allege that Robinson targeted Kirk because of his political beliefs. They have told the court they believe he admitted to the shooting in a message to his roommate, according to reports of the court proceedings.
The defence has not yet had to answer those claims in open court, and Robinson’s not-guilty plea means every charge will now be tested at trial. In September, Graf ruled that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for Robinson to face trial on the aggravated murder charge.
What happens before trial
The court has set out a long road to the first day of jury selection. Both sides must submit an initial report on their progress and scheduling conflicts by 14 December 2026, and monthly pretrial conferences will follow.
A hearing to assess trial readiness is scheduled for 11 April 2028, and jury questionnaires are due by 3 May 2028 — seven weeks before jury selection begins. Reports say about 3,600 questionnaires will be sent to prospective jurors.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on 21 June 2028 in courtroom 4B. Reuters reported that the judge’s timetable also leaves room for the defence to pursue a change of venue and to challenge the death-penalty request.
The killing and its aftermath
Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot on 10 September 2025 while addressing an audience at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. He was 31.
Robinson surrendered to police one day after the shooting. The killing prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the conservative movement and a national debate about political violence, and it has remained one of the most closely followed murder charges in the United States ever since.
For now, the case moves into its long preparatory phase. Unless the schedule changes, the next major date is the December progress report — the first formal check on whether a trial that is still more than 19 months away is on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Tyler Robinson trial start?
Jury selection is scheduled to begin on 21 June 2028 at the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, Utah. Judge Tony Graf has set aside 105 court days for the proceedings.
What is Tyler Robinson charged with?
Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts, including aggravated murder, in the shooting of Charlie Kirk on 10 September 2025 at Utah Valley University in Orem. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
Why is the trial not until 2028?
The judge chose a date between the prosecutors’ request for January 2028 and the defence’s request for late 2029, citing the complexity of a capital case and the preparation time both sides need. Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, had pushed for a 2027 trial.
