On the 16th, the Utah County District Attorney in Utah, USA, formally filed charges against Robinson, the suspect in the shooting of well-known conservative activist Kirk. If convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty.
At a press conference, Utah County District Attorney Gray said the prosecution has initially brought seven charges against the 22-year-old Robinson, including aggravated murder, illegal discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and committing violence in the presence of a child.
According to U.S. law, aggravated murder (i.e., murder with aggravating circumstances) and illegal discharge of a firearm are both first-degree felony charges; obstruction of justice is a second-degree felony charge.
Gray said that when the preliminary charges were brought before the press conference, prosecutors did not explicitly seek the death penalty, but this would be included in the official legal documents to be submitted later that day.
He stated, “This decision was not made lightly,” and was entirely based on the direct and indirect evidence as well as the nature of the crime.
That afternoon, Robinson appeared via remote video at the Fourth District Court of Utah, where he was informed of the charges against him.
Kirk was the co-founder of the American nonprofit organization 'Turning Point USA' and one of the most influential 'internet celebrities' in the Trump supporter camp. On the 10th, he was shot and killed while giving a speech at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, at the age of 31. Robinson was arrested on the evening of the 11th and is currently being held without bail.