Defense seeks delay in May hearing for man accused of killing Charlie Kirk

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The defense for Tyler Robinson, accused in the Sept. 10 shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah, has asked a judge to postpone a preliminary hearing scheduled for May. In court filings, Robinson’s lawyers said they need more time to review a large amount of material and a federal bullet analysis they argued could be relevant to the case.

Robinson’s defense team said the analysis involves findings from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and that the ATF report could not conclusively connect a bullet fragment recovered during an autopsy to the rifle found near the scene, according to court documents. The defense also said the FBI is running additional tests related to that ballistics question.

The ATF’s report has been kept private, but the defense described it in later court filings by citing excerpts they said indicate the results were inconclusive. The filings also argued that the value of forensic ballistics analysis can depend on factors such as the size and condition of bullet fragments, and that experts look for microscopic markings on a bullet left by how it passes through a gun’s barrel.

Robinson’s lawyers said they may try to use the ballistics analysis during the preliminary hearing to help clear Robinson of blame, while prosecutors work to show they have enough evidence to proceed to trial. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty, and Robinson, 22, has not yet entered a plea.

Prosecutors have said DNA consistent with Robinson was found on the trigger of the rifle, the fired cartridge casing and two unfired cartridges. Defense attorneys, in filings, pointed to forensic reports they said show multiple people’s DNA was found on some of those items, arguing that the evidence requires more complex analysis than the prosecution’s view suggests.

The filings also recounted that prosecutors say Robinson reportedly texted a romantic partner that he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred.” Prosecutors have not indicated that Robinson’s plea has been entered, and the next procedural steps remain tied to what the parties can present at the preliminary stage.

Robinson is due back in court April 17 for a hearing on a defense motion to ban cameras from the courtroom, a request that follows other procedural disputes in the case.