Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf set a trial date on Monday for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Jury selection will begin on June 21, 2028.
Tyler Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts, including aggravated murder. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
Robinson’s attorneys had sought a late 2029 start to allow more time to challenge the death penalty request, gather evidence and seek a change of venue. They expect a six-to-seven-month trial.
Prosecutors proposed a January 31, 2028, start for a trial they anticipate lasting about 17 weeks.
Meanwhile, Erika Kirk, Kirk’s widow, requested a 2027 start to speed the process. She described the legal proceedings as painful.
Judge Graf selected the mid-2028 date as a compromise. He said the schedule aims to uphold the constitutional rights of both Robinson and Erika Kirk. The court allocated 105 days for the proceedings.
Kirk was shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem. Robinson turned himself in the next day.
The case has drawn national attention. President Donald Trump previously criticised the pace of the proceedings and called for a faster trial.
Kirk’s family called the June 2028 date deeply disappointing in a statement. They said every additional day prolongs their pain.
