{"id":142045,"date":"2025-09-16T21:48:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T21:48:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/142045\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T21:48:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T21:48:07","slug":"charlie-kirks-murder-suspect-seen-in-first-court-appearance-as-state-seeks-death-penalty-live-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/142045\/","title":{"rendered":"Charlie Kirk\u2019s murder suspect seen in first court appearance as state seeks death penalty: Live updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>District Attorney: Charlie Kirk was targeted for his politics, we&#8217;re seeking death penaltyYour support helps us to tell the story<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 jEZjIj\">From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 jEZjIj\">At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 jEZjIj\">The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n<p>Your support makes all the difference.Read more<\/p>\n<p>The 22-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/charlie-kirk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Charlie Kirk<\/a> has been formally charged with aggravated murder and six other charges, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.<\/p>\n<p>Tyler Robinson is also facing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/death-penalty\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">death penalty<\/a> if convicted, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/utah\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Utah<\/a> County Attorney Jeff Gray announced at a press conference. The accused appeared virtually from jail before a judge at an initial hearing, with the next court date set for September 29.<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/americas\/crime\/charlie-kirk-assassin-confession-tyler-robinson-b2827019.html\"><\/p>\n<p>Officials say Robinson was radicalized online and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/americas\/us-politics\/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-motive-spencer-cox-b2826344.html\">subscribed to a \u201cleftist\u201d ideology,<\/a> and today said the motive for the killing was a hatred of Kirk.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is too much evil in the guy, too much hate,&#8221; the alleged assassin said in text messages with his roommate.<\/p>\n<p>Officials have said Robinson refused to cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation, after surrendering on the evening of September 11. He showed no emotion during Tuesday\u2019s hearing.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier, it emerged that Robinson said in a group chat on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/discord\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Discord<\/a> shortly before his arrest: \u201cHey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday,\u201d The Washington Post first reported.<\/p>\n<p>Kirk, a Republican activist and co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while hosting an event at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/utah\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Utah<\/a> college on September 10. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2200492\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eRBxyC\"><\/a>Man, 71, told cops he shot Charlie Kirk in order to give real shooter time to escape<\/p>\n<p>A 71-year-old audience member present when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/americas\/us-politics\/charlie-kirk-show-live-updates-vance-b2826949.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Charlie Kirk<\/a> was shot dead, shouted at a police officer, \u201cI shot him, now shoot me\u201d, in a bid to give <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/americas\/us-politics\/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-motive-spencer-cox-b2826344.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the real shooter<\/a> more time to escape, police have said.<\/p>\n<p>New police documents obtained by news outlet <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fox13now.com\/news\/local-news\/man-claimed-to-have-shot-charlie-kirk-to-allow-gunman-to-escape-police-said\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Fox13<\/a> allege that the man, named as George Zinn, drew police focus in the immediate aftermath of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/charlie-kirk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kirk\u2019s shooting<\/a>, which led to him being charged with obstruction of justice.<\/p>\n<p>Oliver O&#8217;Connell16 September 2025 22:45<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2200665\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eRBxyC\"><\/a>Speaker Johnson says politicians shouldn\u2019t call opponents \u2018enemies\u2019 \u2014 but won\u2019t criticize Trump for doing just that<\/p>\n<p>House Speaker <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.the-independent.com\/topic\/mike-johnson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Mike Johnson<\/a> said political leaders should not call their opponents \u201cenemies\u201d \u2014 but declined to criticize Donald <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.the-independent.com\/topic\/trump\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Trump<\/a> for his long-running habit of doing exactly that.<\/p>\n<p>Johnson urged lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to respectfully engage with each other and to \u201cturn down the temperature and the violent rhetoric\u201d following the fatal shooting of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.the-independent.com\/news\/world\/americas\/us-politics\/charlie-kirk-shooter-tyler-robinson-court-live-updates-b2827541.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">conservative activist <\/a><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.the-independent.com\/topic\/charlie-kirk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Charlie Kirk<\/a> last Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>Oliver O&#8217;Connell16 September 2025 22:30<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2200761\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eRBxyC\"><\/a>Reminder: The charges filed against Robinson<\/p>\n<p>Count 1: Aggravated murder<\/p>\n<p>Count 2: Felony discharge of firearm<\/p>\n<p>(Aggregating factors on counts 1 and 2, based on targeting Kirk based on political expression and knowing children were present and would witness the homicide)<\/p>\n<p>Count 3: Obstruction of justice, for moving and concealing rifle<\/p>\n<p>Count 4: Obstruction of justice, for disposing clothing<\/p>\n<p>Count 5: Witness tampering, for directing roommate to delete texts<\/p>\n<p>Count 6: Witness tampering, directing roommate to stay silent<\/p>\n<p>Count 7: Commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child, for committing homicide knowing children present<\/p>\n<p>Oliver O&#8217;Connell16 September 2025 22:28<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2200757\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eRBxyC\"><\/a>Next hearing set for September 29<\/p>\n<p>Judge Tony Graf sets the next court date, again virtually, for September 29 at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier, Robinson nodded when the judge told him he would remain jailed, without bail, while the case proceeds.<\/p>\n<p>Oliver O&#8217;Connell16 September 2025 22:16<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2200754\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eRBxyC\"><\/a>Judge to appoint lawyer to represent Robinson<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SEI266416628.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tyler Robinson appears at his first court hearing\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/>Tyler Robinson appears at his first court hearing (via REUTERS)<\/p>\n<p>Judge Tony Graf, of the Fourth District Court, determines that Tyler Robinson is indigent.<\/p>\n<p>He will appoint a lawyer to represent him.<\/p>\n<p>The judge is now reading the charges out to Robinson, noting that he possibly faces the death penalty.<\/p>\n<p>Robinson appears to be listening closely and showing no emotion.<\/p>\n<p>Oliver O&#8217;Connell16 September 2025 22:09<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2200747\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eRBxyC\"><\/a>Robinson appears virtually for his first court hearing<\/p>\n<p>Tyler Robinson, the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, is appearing virtually in his first court appearance.<\/p>\n<p>He is sitting in front of a white wall and wearing what looks like a green vest.<\/p>\n<p>Robinson stated his name to the judge.<\/p>\n<p>Oliver O&#8217;Connell16 September 2025 22:06<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2200484\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eRBxyC\"><\/a>How did Tyler Robinson come to turn himself in?<\/p>\n<p>According to the charging document, on the evening of September 11, 2025, as law enforcement continued their investigation, Tyler Robinson went to the Washington County Sheriff\u2019s Office with his parents and a family friend to turn himself in.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what we learned today about what his parents told the authorities: <\/p>\n<p>Robinson\u2019s mother stated the following to police. On September 11, 2025, the day after the shooting, Robinson\u2019s mother saw the photo of the shooter in the news and thought the shooter looked like her son. Robinson\u2019s mother called her son and asked him where he was. He said he was at home sick and that he had also been at home sick on September 10th. Robinson\u2019s mother expressed concern to her husband that the suspected shooter looked like Robinson. Robinson\u2019s father agreed.<\/p>\n<p>Robinson\u2019s mother explained that over the last year or so, Robinson had become more political and had started to lean more to the left \u2013 becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented. She stated that Robinson began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transitioning genders. This resulted in several discussions with family members, but especially between Robinson and his father, who have very different political views. In one conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned that Charlie Kirk would be holding an event at UVU, which Robinson said was a \u201cstupid venue\u201d for the event. Robinson accused Kirk of spreading hate.<\/p>\n<p>Robinson\u2019s father reported that when his wife showed him the surveillance image of the suspected shooter in the news, he agreed that it looked like their son. He also believed that the rifle that police suspected the shooter used matched a rifle that was given to his son as a gift. As a result, Robinson\u2019s father contacted his son and asked him to send a photo of the rifle. Robinson did not respond. However, Robinson\u2019s father spoke on the phone with Robinson. Robinson implied that he planned to take his own life. Robinson\u2019s parents were able to convince him to meet at their home.<\/p>\n<p>As they discussed the situation, Robinson implied that he was the shooter and stated that he couldn\u2019t go to jail and just wanted to end it. When asked why he did it, Robinson explained there is too much evil and the guy [Charlie Kirk] spreads too much hate. They talked about Robinson turning himself in and convinced Robinson to speak with a family friend who is a retired deputy sheriff. At Robinson\u2019s father\u2019s request, the family friend met with Robinson and his parents and convinced Robinson to turn himself in.<\/p>\n<p>The family friend spoke to police and reported telling Robinson that it would be best if he brought all evidence with him to the sheriff\u2019s office to avoid police having to search his parent\u2019s home. The family friend also asked Robinson if he had any clothes that were related to what he did. Robinson replied that he had disposed of the clothes in different areas.<\/p>\n<p>Oliver O&#8217;Connell16 September 2025 21:40<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2200420\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eRBxyC\"><\/a>Durbin reiterates opening remarks from Kash Patel hearing<\/p>\n<p>Ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin has tweeted out part of his opening remarks from today\u2019s hearing and testimony from FBI Director Kash Patel.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans are not \u201cNazis.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Democrats are not \u201cevil.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Democrats are not responsible for the murder of Charlie Kirk.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans are not responsible for the murder of Melissa Hortman.<\/p>\n<p>Opponents are not enemies. We\u2019re Americans.<\/p>\n<p>Oliver O&#8217;Connell16 September 2025 21:20<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2200364\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eRBxyC\"><\/a>Outrage as pro-Trump rapper and country singer release pro-lynching song<\/p>\n<p>Over a banjo riff, the chorus of \u201cGood vs Evil\u201d from MAGA rapper Forgiato Blow and country singer JJ Lawhorn repeats instructions for hanging people at \u201csundown,\u201d an apparent reference to \u201csundown towns\u201d that violently enforce racial segregation.<\/p>\n<p>The song calls for \u201ca big tall tree and a short piece of rope\u201d to \u201chang \u2018em up high at sundown\u201d and \u201cleave \u2018em swinging so the folks all know you don\u2019t mess around in our town.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alex Woodward has the story.<\/p>\n<p>Oliver O&#8217;Connell16 September 2025 21:05<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#post-2200477\" class=\"sc-1wyow5i-1 eRBxyC\"><\/a>Read the full text conversation between suspect and roommate<\/p>\n<p>Per the charging document, on September 10, 2025, the roommate, a male transitioning to female who was in a romantic relationship with suspect Tyler Robinson, received a text message from him which said: <\/p>\n<p>\u201cdrop what you are doing, look under my keyboard.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The roommate looked under the keyboard and found a note that stated, \u201cI had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I\u2019m going to take it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After reading the note, the roommate responded, \u201cWhat?????????????? You\u2019re joking, right????\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s the rest of their exchange: <\/p>\n<p>Robinson: I am still ok my love, but am stuck in orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn\u2019t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.<\/p>\n<p>Roommate: you weren\u2019t the one who did it right????<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: I am, I\u2019m sorry<\/p>\n<p>Roommate: I thought they caught the person?<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: no, they grabbed some crazy old dude, then interrogated someone in similar clothing. I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down. Its quiet, almost enough to get out, but theres one vehicle lingering.<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: Why did I do it?<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can\u2019t be negotiated out. If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven\u2019t seen anything about them finding it.<\/p>\n<p>Roommate: How long have you been planning this?<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: a bit over a week I believe. I can get close to it but there is a squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don\u2019t wanna chance it<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: I\u2019m wishing I had circled back and grabbed it as soon as I got to my vehicle. \u2026 I\u2019m worried what my old man would do if I didn\u2019t bring back grandpas rifle \u2026 idek if it had a serial number, but it wouldn\u2019t trace to me. I worry about prints I had to leave it in a bush where I changed outfits. didn\u2019t have the ability or time to bring it with. \u2026 I might have to abandon it and hope they don\u2019t find prints. how the fuck will I explain losing it to my old man. \u2026<\/p>\n<p>only thing I left was the rifle wrapped in a towel. \u2026<\/p>\n<p>remember how I was engraving bullets? The fuckin messages are mostly a big meme, if I see \u201cnotices bulge uwu\u201d on fox new I might have a stroke alright im gonna have to leave it, that really fucking sucks. \u2026<\/p>\n<p>judging from today I\u2019d say grandpas gun does just fine idk. I think that was a $2k scope ;-;<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: delete this exchange<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: my dad wants photos of the rifle \u2026 he says grandpa wants to know who has what, the feds released a photo of the rifle, and it is very unique. Hes calling me rn, not answering.<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: since trump got into office [my dad] has been pretty diehard maga.<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: Im gonna turn myself in willingly, one of my neighbors here is a deputy for the sheriff.<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: you are all I worry about love<\/p>\n<p>Roommate: I\u2019m much more worried about you<\/p>\n<p>Robinson: don\u2019t talk to the media please. don\u2019t take any interviews or make any comments. \u2026 if any police ask you questions ask for a lawyer and stay silent<\/p>\n<p>Oliver O&#8217;Connell16 September 2025 20:52<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"District Attorney: Charlie Kirk was targeted for his politics, we&#8217;re seeking death penaltyYour support helps us to tell&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":142046,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[49,50,51,47,52,48],"class_list":["post-142045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142045"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142045\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/142046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}