Salt Lake City, Utah
Prosecutors in Charlie Kirk’s killing pointed Tuesday to an engraved bullet, arguing that the inscription “Hey Facist! CATCH!” demonstrates that Kirk was focused for a way the defendant perceived his politics.
Whether defendant Tyler Robinson acted out of political animus may very well be key for prosecutors seeking the death penalty — or for his attorneys in taking that punishment off the desk.
The prosecution and protection have filed dueling paperwork centered on whether or not the crime included aggravating components that may make Robinson eligible for the demise penalty if convicted. Those embody political concentrating on and whether or not the capturing endangered 1000’s of others who attended Kirk’s Sept. 10 occasion at Utah Valley University.
Robinson is charged with crimes together with aggravated murder and has not but entered a plea. The 23-year-old defendant turned himself in a day after the capturing.
Judge Tony Graf mentioned he’ll determine if the case ought to advance to trial after he hears once more from each side on Sept. 1.
In a doc filed late Tuesday, prosecutors argued the engraved bullet discovered within the suspected murder weapon was an “overt political reference.” They additionally famous that Robinson allegedly wrote in a textual content message about Kirk: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Robinson’s attorneys have argued that the textual content message will not be robust sufficient proof to show a political motivation. They didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark on prosecutors’ new submitting.
Prosecutors contend that Kirk’s opposition to same-sex marriage and gender-affirming care stood in sharp distinction to Robinson, who was reportedly in a romantic relationship together with his roommate, Lance Twiggs. Twiggs informed investigators he had thought of a gender transition across the time of Kirk’s killing, in keeping with prosecutors.
A handwritten word that prosecutors allege Robinson left for Twiggs learn partially, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.”
In a recorded interview proven in courtroom final month, Twiggs mentioned he had by no means heard Robinson speak about Kirk earlier than the capturing. Robinson additionally didn’t speak a lot about gender points or LGBTQ+ rights, however he did generally speak about politics, together with Trump, Twiggs informed investigators.
The Associated Press emailed Twiggs’ lawyer in search of remark.
During the July listening to, investigators introduced DNA analyses that they mentioned linked Robinson to each the suspected murder weapon and a device he allegedly used to engrave the bullet cartridges. Robinson’s attorneys repeatedly questioned the reliability of DNA assessments and different proof.
Defense attorneys even have argued towards a potential sentence enhancement for endangering others, saying the shooter “hit the intended target.” Prosecutors mentioned quite a few folks have been inside a “zone of danger” round Kirk when he was shot from a rooftop.