Attorneys for Charlie Kirk's accused killer seek hearing delay, citing evidence review

Attorneys for the man accused of killing US activist Charlie Kirk have requested a delay in a preliminary hearing set for May, citing the need to review a large volume of evidence, according to local media reports. Kirk was fatally shot on Sept. 10 last year while addressing a group of students at Utah Valley University in the city of Orem, some 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. A suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested shortly after the attack and remains in custody. He faces one count of aggravated murder with a victim-targeting enhancement along with several additional felony charges.

Defense arguments

According to Robinson's attorneys, prosecutors have yet to provide all the evidence, and the defense requires additional time to prepare, arguing that a delay is necessary to ensure fairness and protect his constitutional rights. The motion was filed Friday, and his attorneys said the request is supported by the Sixth and Eighth Amendments to the US Constitution. "Mr. Robinson seeks to continue the preliminary hearing scheduled for May 2026 to a setting that allows him and his counsel to receive discovery necessary for preliminary hearing preparations," the motion said.

ATF report

Robinson's attorneys also said that a report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was "unable" to definitively link a bullet fragment recovered during the autopsy to the rifle found near the scene. "Regarding the firearm evidence, the defense has been provided with an ATF summary report which indicates that the ATF was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr. Robinson," according to the motion.

FBI analysis

The motion further noted that the FBI is conducting a second comparative bullet analysis along with a bullet lead examination. "Again, until the defense receives the case files and protocols relating to these analyses and has them independently evaluated by its expert, they will not be in a position to assess the reliability of this evidence if either the State or the defense decides to proffer it," the motion said.

National response

The killing of Kirk prompted nationwide mourning, including a White House-declared National Day of Remembrance. A preliminary hearing has not yet been rescheduled, and the court has not ruled on the defense's request.