Charlie Kirk suspect Tyler Robinson appears in court - as prosecutors say they will seek death penalty

Tyler Robinson has appeared in court via video link charged with the murder of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.

The 22-year-old, from Washington, Utah, was seen for the first time since his arrest after being charged with aggravated murder, weapon, and obstruction of justice offences.

Robinson, who was seen on screen from Utah County Jail, spoke only to confirm his name. He was otherwise silent and appeared calm during the brief hearing.

Judge Tony Graf read out the charges against him and said a further hearing would be held at the end of the month.

Robinson did not appear to have any legal representation and was seen wearing a green vest with straps, reportedly designed to prevent him from self-harming, according to The New York Times.

It came after prosecutors held a press conference earlier today to announce they would be seeking the death penalty. They claimed that Robinson's DNA was found on the trigger of the alleged murder weapon.

A note was also found under his keyboard, which said: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it," according to a charging document from prosecutors.

It is also alleged that the suspect ordered his roommate to delete "incriminating texts" about the killing and to stay silent if questioned by police.

When his roommate texted to ask if he was the "one who did it", Robinson replied: "I am, I'm sorry," prosecutors allege.

Robinson is said to have written in another text: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."

He also allegedly wrote he had been planning the shooting for just over a week.

Kirk, 31, was killed at one of his rallies at Utah Valley University last Wednesday.

The political activist, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, died after being shot in the neck with a bullet.

County attorney Jeff Gray said "aggravating factors" in the killing included that the "defendant is believed to have targeted Charlie Kirk based on his political expression and did so knowing children were present and would witness the homicide".

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The obstruction of justice charges relate to allegations that Robinson disposed of the weapon used in the killing, along with clothing he is said to have worn at the time.

Robinson has been held without bail since his arrest.

Investigators have spoken to Robinson's relatives and have carried out a search at his family home, 240 miles (385km) southwest of where the shooting took place.

Mr Gray said Robinson had accused Kirk of "spreading hate" during a conversation with his father. He also allegedly described the university as a "stupid venue" for the influencer to hold an event.

After the shooting, the county attorney said the suspect confessed to his parents after they confronted him, telling them he shot Kirk because "there is too much evil in the guy".

Robinson's mother told police that her son had become more political and had "started to lean more to the left" in the past year or so, Mr Gray said.

He added that the 22-year-old had become more "pro-gay and trans-rights oriented", according to his parents.

His mother said he had started to date his roommate, who was "transitioning genders", prompting "discussions" with his father, who had very different political views.

Robinson allegedly wrote in another message to his roommate that "since Trump got into office [my father] has been pretty diehard Maga".

(c) Sky News 2025: Charlie Kirk suspect Tyler Robinson appears in court - as prosecutors say they will seek death penalty