Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Seeks to Disqualify Utah Prosecutors Over Deputy’s Child at Shooting
Tyler Robinson, 22, has asked a judge to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office, arguing an alleged conflict because an 18‑year‑old child of a deputy prosecutor was in the crowd at the Utah Valley University event and texted “CHARLIE GOT SHOT” (the child says they did not see the shooting and reports no lasting trauma). Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray counters there is “virtually no risk” the relationship would impair prosecution—calling the child neither a material witness nor a victim—and legal analysts note courts rarely remove an entire office absent a clear, direct conflict. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted; a multi‑day preliminary hearing is set for May 18, and Judge Tony Graf has barred media from showing Robinson’s restraints while weighing a broader camera ban.
📌 Key Facts
- Tyler Robinson, 22, the man accused in the shooting of Charlie Kirk, has filed a motion to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office over an alleged conflict of interest and is due back in court Friday for a hearing on that motion.
- The motion centers on an 18‑year‑old child of a deputy county attorney who was in the audience at the Utah Valley University event, heard the shot, texted family 'CHARLIE GOT SHOT,' did not see the shooting and reports no lasting trauma.
- Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray argued in court filings there is 'virtually no risk' the deputy’s relationship with the child would impair fair prosecution and described the child as neither a material witness nor a victim.
- News coverage highlights competing expert views on whether an adult child’s presence in the crowd creates a disqualifying conflict; legal analysts note courts generally require a clear, direct conflict affecting decisions before disqualifying an entire prosecutor’s office and say such motions are rarely granted.
- Defense attorneys argue a strategic benefit: if the Utah County Attorney’s Office were removed, a replacement agency might be less inclined to seek the death penalty.
- Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted, and a multi‑day preliminary hearing is set to begin May 18.
- Judge Tony Graf has barred media from showing Robinson’s restraints in photos or video and is weighing a broader camera ban at the defense’s request.
📊 Relevant Data
Attempts by criminal defendants to disqualify prosecutors occur infrequently and enjoy only limited success.
Immediate Appeal from Counsel Disqualification in Criminal Cases — William & Mary Law Review
In 2025, left-wing terrorist attacks outnumbered those from the violent far right for the first time in more than 30 years.
Left-Wing Terrorism and Political Violence in the United States: What the Data Tells Us — Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Politically motivated murders in the United States are rare, with data showing a limited number of such incidents since 2020.
Politically Motivated Violence Is Rare in the United States — Cato Institute
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Specifies that Tyler Robinson, 22, is due back in court Friday for a hearing on his motion to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office over an alleged conflict of interest.
- Details that an 18‑year‑old child of a deputy county attorney was in the audience at the Utah Valley University event, heard the shot, texted family 'CHARLIE GOT SHOT,' but did not see the shooting and reports no lasting trauma.
- Quotes Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray’s filing arguing there is 'virtually no risk' that the deputy’s relationship with the child would impair fair prosecution and describing the child as neither a material witness nor a victim.
- Notes that prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted and that a multi‑day preliminary hearing is set to begin May 18.
- Adds that Judge Tony Graf has barred media from showing Robinson’s restraints in photos or video and is weighing a broader camera ban at the defense’s request.
- Fox piece details competing expert views on whether the prosecutor’s adult child being in the crowd at the Kirk shooting creates a disqualifying conflict of interest.
- Legal analysts emphasize that courts usually require a clear, direct conflict affecting decisions before disqualifying an entire prosecutor’s office, and note the rarity of such motions being granted in similar circumstances.
- The article highlights a strategic angle: if the Utah County Attorney’s Office were removed, a replacement agency might be less inclined to seek the death penalty, which defense counsel see as a potential benefit for Tyler Robinson.