Utah Judge Sets June 2028 Trial Date for Charlie Kirk Murder Case

A Utah judge on Monday scheduled a June 2028 trial for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus event in Orem last year.

District Judge Tony Graf allocated 105 days for the proceedings, with jury selection set to begin on June 21, 2028, according to court records.

Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts, including aggravated murder, for the September 10, 2025, shooting that occurred as Kirk addressed several thousand people at Utah Valley University.

The case carries significant political weight, as Kirk was a prominent ally of President Donald Trump and a polarizing figure known for mobilizing young voters around right-wing Christian views.

Erika Kirk, the victim's widow, expressed frustration with the timeline through her attorney, Jeffrey Neiman, who told the judge, “A trial in the summer of 2028, three years after Charlie's assassination, does not feel very speedy to the Kirk family.”

In a statement issued after the hearing, the family characterized the decision as a delay, noting that every additional day without a verdict prolongs their pain.

President Trump recently criticized Judge Graf on social media, suggesting the trial should have commenced within a month and questioning the judge's handling of the legal process.

Prosecutors had requested a January 2028 start date for the trial, which they estimate will last 17 weeks, while defense attorneys had proposed waiting until 2029.

Defense lawyers said they need time to review tens of thousands of files and investigate potential mitigating factors that could influence sentencing if Robinson is convicted.

Utah County prosecutors allege Robinson targeted Kirk due to his political beliefs, citing a bullet found in the rifle that was engraved with the words, “Hey Facist! CATCH!”

Prosecutors also claim Robinson sent a text message stating he had enough of the activist's hatred and that some hate could not be negotiated out.

Defense attorney Richard Novak has stated in court that while Kirk spoke aggressively about those without traditional gender identities, there is no evidence Robinson opposed those views.

The court is expected to hear arguments next December regarding whether the trial should be moved to a different venue to ensure an impartial jury can be seated.