Lawyers representing Tyler Robinson — the man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk — are requesting that a preliminary hearing scheduled for May be postponed, saying they need additional time to examine the evidence.
In newly filed court documents, Robinson’s legal team pointed to a forensic report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that was unable to definitively link a bullet fragment recovered during the autopsy to a rifle discovered in a nearby wooded area shortly after the shooting.
According to the defense, they may rely on that inconclusive analysis in an effort to challenge Robinson’s responsibility at the preliminary hearing, reports News Nation Now.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, contend that DNA matching Robinson was identified on the rifle’s trigger, a spent cartridge casing, and two live rounds. Defense attorneys counter that forensic findings also show DNA from multiple individuals on certain pieces of evidence, arguing that this complicates the analysis and raises additional questions.
Robinson, 22, faces an aggravated murder charge in connection with the September 10, 2025, shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Prosecutors have indicated they intend to pursue the death penalty.
Robinson is scheduled to return to court on April 17 for a separate hearing regarding a defense motion to prohibit cameras from the courtroom during the trial.