PROVO, Utah — Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, asked a judge on Friday to hold prosecutors in contempt and impose sanctions over their public comments about a bullet fragment recovered from the victim's body, court officials said.
Robinson, 23, faces aggravated murder charges in the Sept. 10, 2025, shooting death of Kirk at a Utah Valley University event in Orem, Utah. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted. He has not entered a plea.
Defense lawyers accused prosecutors of violating a court order limiting pretrial publicity by discussing expert analysis of the bullet fragment in media interviews, which they described as a "media tour." The comments addressed preliminary ballistics findings that had been subject to public speculation, according to court filings.
Utah County prosecutors defended the statements, saying they were made to correct misinformation about the evidence and did not express opinions on Robinson's guilt. Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride argued the comments represented the true nature of the report, officials said.
Judge Tony Graf heard arguments on the contempt motion during the hearing. He has not yet issued a ruling on whether sanctions, including potential disqualification or other penalties, are warranted. Robinson’s attorneys did not specify the exact sanctions sought if the judge finds a violation.
The case has drawn intense public attention. Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot while speaking on campus. Robinson, a Utah electrician from southwestern Utah, was arrested the following day. Evidence cited by authorities has included DNA on a rifle and other materials, though defense lawyers have challenged aspects of the ballistics analysis.
Earlier motions by the defense, including attempts to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office over an alleged conflict of interest involving a prosecutor’s family member who attended the event, were previously denied by the judge.
A key preliminary hearing, at which prosecutors must present enough evidence to warrant a trial, is scheduled for July. Defense attorneys have also sought to limit public access to certain proceedings and evidence, citing concerns over pretrial publicity, but those requests have largely been rejected.
As of June 13, 2026, Robinson remained in custody without bail. Details on the judge’s upcoming decision regarding the contempt motion and the full scope of evidence to be presented at the preliminary hearing remain subject to further court proceedings. No additional statements were immediately available from either side following Friday’s hearing.
