Charlie Kirk Murder Trial Will Begin in Summer 2028, Judge Rules
A Utah judge has set a trial date for Tyler Robinson, the man charged in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on June 21, 2028.
Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf announced the date during a hearing on Monday, Nov. 9, choosing a timeline that falls between the dates requested by prosecutors and the defense.
Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts, including aggravated murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
A Compromise Between Competing Timelines
The trial date followed weeks of debate over how quickly the case should move forward.
Prosecutors had asked for the trial to begin in January 2028. Robinson’s defense attorneys requested a start date in late 2029, saying they needed time to challenge the state’s pursuit of the death penalty, gather additional evidence and seek a change of venue.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, pushed for an even earlier start. In a court filing ahead of an October hearing, she asked for the trial to begin in 2027, describing the defense’s proposed timeline as far too long. Her attorneys argued that every delay added to her family’s grief, noting that the couple’s two young children would be several years older by the time a verdict was reached under the defense’s schedule.
In setting the June 2028 date, Graf said the timeline was meant to protect the rights of everyone involved. The goal, he said, is to ensure “the constitutional rights of Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Kirk are upheld.”
What the Trial Schedule Looks Like
Graf has reserved 105 court days for the trial, or about 21 weeks.
The court also plans to send questionnaires to 3,600 prospective jurors in April 2028, according to NewsNation, because of the extensive publicity surrounding the case. A hearing that same month will determine whether the trial can begin as scheduled in June.
The trial is expected to last several months. Robinson’s defense team has estimated that, from jury selection through a possible sentencing phase, the trial could take six to seven months.
How the Case Has Progressed
Kirk, a co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Robinson was charged days later. In July, prosecutors presented their case during a five-day preliminary hearing, and in September, Graf found there was enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Robinson entered his not-guilty plea that same month.
What Happens Next
Before the trial begins, both sides will file pretrial motions, which Graf will rule on. Those decisions will set the ground rules for what evidence and which witnesses can be presented to the jury.
The defense is also expected to move forward with its plans to challenge the death penalty and request a change of venue, which could affect where the trial takes place.
Robinson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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