Erika Kirk has opposed Tyler Robinson’s request to begin jury selection in the second half of 2029 in the case involving her husband, Charlie Kirk’s murder. Ahead of Friday’s scheduling hearing, Erika called the proposed timeline “grossly out of line” in a court filing. Instead, she urged a Utah judge to schedule the trial for 2027.
Erika Kirk opposes Tyler Robinson’s request for a late-2029 trial in Charlie Kirk murder case
CNN reported that in her filing, Erika argued that further delays would prolong her family’s suffering. She particularly highlighted the impact on her two young children, who were three and one when their father was killed.
“Every additional day of delay carries the weight of all that Charlie’s murder has taken from his family, especially his two young children who were just three and one year old when their father was murdered and would be seven and five years old by the time a verdict is handed down under the Defense’s proposed schedule,” her motion stated.
Meanwhile, prosecutors have proposed January 31, 2028, as the trial’s start date. However, they believe they could be ready as early as October 4, 2027. They estimate the proceedings will take four months, while Robinson’s defense anticipates six to seven months.
23-year-old Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk during a 2025 university event for Turning Point USA. He has pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including aggravated murder. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted of the murder charge.
Meanwhile, the defense has argued that it needs more time to prepare for the capital case. Its reasons include coordinating with expert witnesses, addressing potential disputes over DNA and ballistics testing, and reviewing 31,000 evidence files. However, Erika challenged the argument that the volume of evidence justifies further delays.
Her filing stated, “This perverse position, that the more evidence the state has accumulated the more need for delay, is not found in the law.”
District Court Judge Tony Graf is scheduled to consider the parties’ proposals during Friday’s hearing before setting the trial timetable.
