Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, targeted the right-wing activist because of his political beliefs, prosecutors said Tuesday, citing Kirk's opposition to same-sex marriage and transgender rights.
The comments in court documents constitute the prosecution's most detailed explanation yet of the alleged motive for the September 10, 2025 attack, when Kirk, an ally of US President Donald Trump, was killed at a university in the state of Utah.
Utah County prosecutors cited a letter submitted as evidence by a friend of Kirk's that said the activist's goal was to promote conservative values, including his belief that "experimentation with sexual or gender identity is sinful" and that "heterosexuality within the confines of marriage is the only virtuous form of sexuality."
Prosecutors said the letter from David Engelhardt, a board member of Kirk's Turning Point USA organization, showed that Kirk represented "not only a religious movement, but also a political movement against same-sex marriage and against the acceptance and support of transgenderism, homosexuality and sexual experimentation."
Prosecutors alleged that Robinson's "lifestyle" was at odds with Kirk's religious and political beliefs and that the 23-year-old had targeted the activist because of his "political expression."
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"The circumstantial evidence that the defendant targeted Mr. Kirk because of his beliefs or perception of Mr. Kirk's political beliefs is overwhelming," prosecutors said in their written argument, explaining why, in their view, there is sufficient evidence for Robinson to stand trial for Kirk's murder.
Meanwhile, Robinson's attorney, Richard Novak, stated in court on July 9 that Engelhardt's letter offered no evidence that Robinson disagreed with Kirk's political or religious beliefs and did not help in understanding his client's mental state.
Prosecutors have said Robinson was in a relationship with his flatmate, Lance Twiggs, at the time of the attack and that Twiggs was considering gender transition.
Prosecutors presented a body of evidence that, they said, showed Robinson had targeted Kirk because of his political beliefs.
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They also mentioned inscriptions carved into the bullets found in the suspected murder weapon, one of which read: "Hey fascist, grab this."
The defense has until August 18 to present written arguments on why, according to it, there is insufficient evidence for Robinson to stand trial.
