A judge has ruled that the Utah County Attorney’s Office can continue prosecuting Tyler Robinson, the man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, dismissing defense claims of a conflict of interest.
Robinson’s lawyers had sought to have the entire prosecutor’s office removed from the case. They argued that a potential conflict arose because the child of Deputy County Attorney Chad Grunander attended the Turning Point USA event where Kirk was killed. According to the defense, that connection could have influenced prosecutorial decisions.
However, the court determined that the teenager’s presence at the event did not materially affect how the case was handled. The 18-year-old, a student at Utah Valley University where the event took place, neither witnessed the shooting nor observed any potential suspects, prosecutors said.
During earlier hearings, Grunander testified that he informed colleagues shortly after the incident that his child had attended the event. Despite that disclosure, Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray assigned him to the prosecution team. Gray maintained that the child’s attendance had no bearing on the office’s decision-making, including the move to pursue the death penalty.
Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf agreed, stating there was no evidence of bias or improper influence. He found that the teenager had no unique or relevant information about the shooting that would necessitate being called as a witness. Prosecutors have indicated they do not intend to call the child to testify, though the defense may seek a subpoena if deemed necessary.
Defense attorney Richard Novak criticized what he described as a casual handling of the potential conflict, arguing that Grunander should have been removed from the case and that the defense should have been notified immediately. He contended that decisions regarding charges and the pursuit of capital punishment should not have involved someone with a personal connection to the event.
The judge ultimately concluded that there was no proof the prosecution’s decision to seek the death penalty was influenced by concerns for the child’s safety.
Robinson faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder, firearm-related offenses, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering, along with sentencing enhancements. He has not yet entered pleas and is expected to be arraigned following a preliminary hearing set to begin May 18, which is scheduled to last three days.