Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, may not stand trial until 2029.
Ahead of a scheduling hearing Friday, District Judge Tony Graf asked state prosecutors and Robinson’s defense team to propose trial start dates and lengths.
Late Wednesday night, Utah state prosecutors said they could be ready to begin trial in a year, but suggested January 31, 2028, as a start date to avoid conducting a lengthy trial over the holidays. They expect the trial to last 17 weeks.
Meanwhile, Robinson’s defense proposed the trial begin during the third quarter of 2029 and anticipated it would take six to seven months.
Graf ruled in September that Robinson, 23, stand trial for aggravated murder, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, and four other charges. He is accused of shooting Kirk on Utah Valley University campus on September 10, 2025. The state intends to pursue the death penalty in the case.
Although Robinson’s defense proposed 2029 as their desired start date, they told Graf it is currently impossible to set a firm trial date, since they anticipate new evidence will emerge for both sides.
Setting an expected trial date “will create unrealistic expectations for the public and the victim’s representative, it may cause counsel for both parties to give short shrift to constitutionally required activities, it may rush this court to deliberate upon and enter rulings on important and complex pretrial motions, and it may jeopardize Mr. Robinson’s right to a capital proceeding that has the utmost reliability,” Robinson’s defense said.
They added that it is “very likely” Robinson will subpoena Utah Valley University and people working for the university for a “wide range” of documents.
The defense said they are still considering requesting a change of venue, because they’re skeptical Robinson “can obtain a fair trial within this district.”
Friday’s hearing will be largely administrative. No witnesses are expected to testify.