Suspect in Charles Kirk assassination appears before judge

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(The Center Square) – Tyler James Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect charged in the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk, remained silent and emotionless as he appeared before Judge Tony Graf Tuesday afternoon, soon after paperwork was filed showing prosecutors’ intent to seek the death penalty.

Robinson, who was at the Utah County Jail during the brief video conference, didn't react as the Fourth District Judicial Court judge sat behind his bench in a Provo, Utah, courtroom and read the charges filed by Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray. The only time Robinson spoke was to state his name.

Graf told Robinson he would remain incarcerated without bail.

Earlier Tuesday, Gray told reporters he would seek the death penalty and listed the seven counts against Robinson, ranging from the capital crime of aggravated murder to felonies for obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Charges also include a misdemeanor for committing a crime in the presence of children.

Kirk was shot and killed during an event Wednesday that 3,000 people attended at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. On Friday, authorities announced Robinson was in custody.

Judge Graf told Robinson he found him to be an indigent person and that the court would appoint an attorney to represent him. 

Graf set a hearing for Robinson at 10 a.m. Sept. 29. Like Tuesday’s court appearance, it will be a video conference, the judge said.

Greg Skordas, a lawyer working on behalf of Utah County, said he would arrange an attorney for Robinson by the time the hearing is held.

Chad Grunander, the chief deputy who heads the Utah County Attorney's criminal division, appeared virtually from an office during Robinson’s appearance. Grunander said a notice announcing Gray's intent to seek the death penalty had been filed just prior to the video conference.

Grunander also requested the judge grant a pretrial protective order for Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, and Graf immediately agreed to sign the order. The order means Robinson is not allowed to contact Erika Kirk.