Tyler Robinson Hearing Ends Without Trial Date Set, Prompting Fiery Plea From Erika Kirk's Lawyer

Tyler Robinson's Utah trial for the assassination of Charlie Kirk still has no start date. After a hearing in Provo on Friday, the judge set no trial date, as prosecutors and defence attorneys clashed over timing — and a lawyer for Kirk's widow made an emotional plea.

Robinson, the 23-year-old Utah man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA event last year, is charged with aggravated murder and six other counts in the September 10, 2025, fatal shooting at Utah Valley University.

Robinson, wearing a light gray suit, uncuffed and unshackled, did not address the court. He spoke quietly with attorneys Richard Novak, Kathy Nester and Staci Visser during breaks, at one point handing Visser a note.

Judge Tony Graf Jr. said he had planned to set a trial date at the end of the hearing but needed more time after questioning both sides about their expected timelines and commitments in previously scheduled trials on other cases.

The roughly three-hour hearing saw several interruptions due to technical difficulty with WebEx, with Robinson defence attorney Michael Burt and an attorney for Kirk's parents, Robert and Kathy, attending remotely.

Utah County prosecutors had floated January 31, 2028, as their preferred trial date but said they could be ready in October 2027.

The defence had asked for a 'soft target' date in the third quarter of 2029, citing large amounts of discovery and other trial preparations — as well as trial commitments in other cases.

Among those, one directly conflicted with the prosecution's desired start date: a federal racketeering case defence attorney Novak has scheduled for January 10, 2028.

Both sides agreed that setting a trial that would run through the holidays could put potential jurors and witnesses in a bind.

'Justice delayed this long stops being justice for the Kirk family,' said Jeffrey Neiman, an attorney for Kirk's widow, Erika. Neiman noted that only about 5% of federal cases actually make it to trial and said the Kirk family would be happy to write to the federal judge and ask for the January trial to be rescheduled to clear up Robinson's defence attorney.

Under Utah's state constitution, victims and their representatives have a right to a speedy resolution to their case. Erika Kirk is the court's designated victim's representative.

Novak told the court that trial's start date had been 'set in stone' and argued against rushing things along. 'The reality is rushing to trial does not lead to closure, it does not lead to finality, it leads to mistakes,' he said.

Former federal prosecutor Fred Tecce told Fox News Digital that the defence push for a 2029 trial is a delay tactic, noting Utah law gives victims a right to a speedy trial.

Graf expressed concern that if he does not set a date soon, additional conflicts could arise. Neiman, who is primarily a criminal defence attorney, has repeatedly asked the court to speed things up. 'Time is the defence's best ally,' he said. 'It's their best friend.' He also noted that regardless of when the trial takes place, Charlie Kirk won't be able to spend Christmas with his family. 'Your honor, if you set it, it will happen,' Neiman said. 'Set it, please.'

Graf set the next hearing for Monday, November 9 at 1 p.m. MT, when he said he would read his ruling. The death penalty remains on the table in the case, adding weight to the fight over when the trial will finally begin.