Attorneys representing Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, are asking a Utah judge to delay his murder trial until 2029, setting up a dispute with prosecutors and Kirk’s family over how quickly the case should move forward.
Prosecutors believe they could be ready for trial as early as October 2027, while Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, is pushing for the earliest possible date.
The competing requests were expected to be addressed during a Friday hearing before Judge Tony Graf. However, the hearing ended without a trial date after Graf indicated he needed additional time to review new information, according to CNN.
The disagreement highlights the challenges of preparing for a high-profile capital murder trial while balancing the defendant’s right to a fair proceeding against the interests of the victim’s family.
Defense Says More Time Is Needed
Robinson faces an aggravated murder charge in connection with Kirk’s fatal shooting on Sept. 10, 2025, during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was a prominent conservative political commentator whose assassination intensified concerns about political violence across the country.
Robinson’s defense attorneys argue that preparing for trial will require extensive investigations, reviewing tens of thousands of files provided by prosecutors and addressing complicated legal issues surrounding a potential death sentence.
They also anticipate spending substantial time preparing for jury selection, which could prove particularly challenging given the national attention surrounding Kirk’s death.
For those reasons, the defense wants the trial scheduled more than two years from now.
Prosecutors disagree with that timeline.
Although they believe an October 2027 trial is possible, prosecutors have proposed Jan. 31, 2028, to avoid scheduling proceedings during the holiday season.
Erika Kirk Opposes Lengthy Delay
Erika Kirk, who has two young children with her late husband, is strongly opposing the defense’s proposed schedule.
Her attorney, Jeffrey Neiman, has urged the court to begin proceedings in October 2027, arguing that additional delays would prolong the family’s uncertainty.
Neiman described the defense’s request as “absurd” and suggested Robinson’s attorneys were attempting to unnecessarily postpone the proceedings.
In a written filing, Neiman emphasized the impact a lengthy trial delay could have on Kirk’s children.
“Under the Defendants’ proposed schedule, Mr. Kirk’s two children, who were one and three at the time he was murdered, will be six and eight years old by the time the trial concludes,” Neiman wrote. “They will face the uncertainty of this criminal proceeding longer than they had their father in their lives.”
Prosecutors Point to Evidence Against Robinson
Robinson has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and could face execution if convicted.
Authorities say Robinson surrendered the day after Kirk’s shooting, with his parents driving him to a local sheriff’s office.
Prosecutors contend that substantial evidence connects Robinson to the killing, including DNA recovered from a rifle and other items, university surveillance footage and alleged admissions made to his roommate and romantic partner.
Earlier this month, Graf sided with prosecutors on an issue involving the potential death penalty, agreeing that the shooting created a significant risk of death to others.
That ruling allows prosecutors to continue pursuing capital punishment.
For now, the trial date remains unresolved. Graf must determine how much preparation time is reasonable in a case that has drawn national attention and carries the possibility of a death sentence.
