Defense in Charlie Kirk’s killing say shooter hit the ‘intended target,’ did not endanger others
Defense lawyers say prosecutors failed to prove the aggravating factor needed to seek death, citing a 41-page brief and only one shot fired.
- In a new court filing made public Tuesday, lawyers for accused assassin Tyler Robinson argued prosecutors failed to establish probable cause for the sole aggravating factor that would permit seeking the death penalty.
- At issue is whether Robinson created a 'high probability' of death to others when he allegedly fired a single shot into a crowd of about 3,000 at Utah Valley University on September 10.
- Defense attorneys Kathy Nester, Michael Burt, Richard Novak, and Staci Visser cite the lack of other injuries to negate the aggravator, while prosecutors point to DNA evidence and surveillance video as proof of Robinson's presence.
- State District Judge Tony Graf scheduled the preliminary hearing to resume on September 1, when both sides will present final arguments before the judge decides whether probable cause exists for trial.
- If the court strikes the sole aggravating factor, the death penalty would be removed from consideration, as defense counsel asserts 'the facts and the law require this Court to strike the sole aggravating factor.
175 Articles
175 Articles
Defense in Charlie Kirk case argues shooter should not face death penalty
By Andrew Hay Aug 13 (Reuters) - The Utah man on trial for the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk should not face the death penalty because he hit his "intended target" and did not endanger anyone else, defense lawyers said this week. Attor...
Charlie Kirk shooting suspect ineligible for death penalty: Defense
Lawyers for the man accused of killing political commentator Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University last year are now arguing that the alleged shooter did not put any of the thousands of attendees in danger — a point they say prevents him from being eligible for the death penalty.
Tyler Robinson’s lawyers argue death penalty should be off the table because his bullet only ‘hit the intended target’ in Charlie Kirk killing
Lawyers for accused Tyler Robinson have argued that he should be spared the death penalty for only killing the “intended target” with his bullet. In new court documents filed by the defense team in the case of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the accused’s attorneys intimated that he did not endanger anyone else during the...
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