Tyler Robinson's Utah murder case set for May preliminary hearing

The capital murder trial of 23‑year‑old Tyler Robinson, accused of killing political activist Charlie Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus, is slated to proceed with a preliminary hearing on May 18, 19 and 21. Prosecutors have indicated they will move forward without the DNA evidence linking Robinson to the crime if the court deems it unnecessary, citing other evidence sufficient to establish probable cause. Robinson’s defense argues that more time is needed to review the evidence and has sought to postpone the hearing and to seal portions of the testimony that could prejudice a future trial.

Robinson also contended that the Utah County Attorney’s Office should be held in contempt for alleged misinformation about a bullet fragment recovered during the autopsy. The state refuted the claim, stating the defense’s description of the ATF’s findings was misleading—ATF was unable to confirm or exclude the bullet’s origin, not that it exonerated Robinson. A judge is expected to rule on the preliminary hearing schedule later this week.