Charlie Kirk Suspect Appears in Courtroom

The man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk made his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon, where prosecutors announced they will pursue the death penalty.

Tyler Robinson, 22, appeared virtually before a Utah judge, wearing a suicide-prevention vest and showing no emotion as the charges were read aloud.

“Charlie Kirk’s murderer just made his first appearance in court wearing a suicide vest and with an expressionless, non-remorseful look on his face as he has his charges read to him. The face of evil,” conservative commentator Greg Price wrote on X.

Utah County prosecutors laid out seven felony counts against Robinson:

– Count 1: Aggravated murder (capital offense)
– Count 2: Felony reckless discharge of a firearm causing bodily injury
– Count 3: Obstruction of justice for concealing the firearm
– Count 4: Obstruction of justice for discarding clothing from the shooting
– Count 5: Witness tampering — pressuring his roommate to delete evidence
– Count 6: Witness tampering — ordering his transgender partner to remain silent and not speak to police
– Count 7: Commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child

A pre-trial protective order was also filed on behalf of Kirk’s widow, Erika.

Robinson was arrested late Thursday following a 33-hour manhunt. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has confirmed the suspect is refusing to cooperate. “He has not confessed to authorities,” Cox told ABC News. “He is not cooperating, but all the people around him are cooperating, and I think that’s very important.”

Robinson’s live-in partner — a man transitioning to female — has reportedly turned over critical evidence to investigators. Cox also revealed Robinson’s family had recently clashed with him politically, describing his radical shift to a leftist ideology.

Court filings and Discord chat logs reviewed by The Washington Post further implicate Robinson. Hours before his capture, he allegedly confessed online: “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this.”

Despite that private admission, Robinson has remained silent with law enforcement. Authorities say forensic DNA evidence and testimony from friends and family will strengthen their case as the trial proceeds.

Kirk, 31, leaves behind his wife Erika and their two young children.