Prosecutors won't show Charlie Kirk video if defense agrees to stipulation

The state says it will not introduce video of Kirk's killing at the next hearing if the defense acknowledges key facts about the incident.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 1:15pm

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The Utah County Attorney's Office says it will not show a video of Charlie Kirk being shot at the next Tyler Robinson court hearing, but only if the defense stipulates that numerous people witnessed Kirk being shot and that the adult child of one of the prosecutors is not a key witness. Prosecutors argue the video is highly probative but carries no danger of unfairly prejudicing a jury because a jury is not present.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battle over the evidence that can be presented in the trial of Tyler Robinson, who is charged with the capital murder of Charlie Kirk. The dispute centers around whether a prosecutor's adult child, who attended the event where Kirk was killed, is a necessary witness, and whether graphic video footage of the shooting should be shown.

The details

Prosecutors say they will not show the video of Kirk's killing at the next hearing if the defense agrees to stipulate that thousands of people witnessed the shooting and that the prosecutor's adult child is not a material witness. The defense had objected to the video, arguing it is graphic and could adversely affect Robinson's right to a fair trial. Prosecutors counter that the video is highly probative and demonstrates that the prosecutor's child is not a necessary witness, since others recorded the shooting from multiple angles.

  • The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 3, 2026.
  • The previous hearing was held on January 16, 2026.

The players

Tyler Robinson

A 22-year-old man charged with capital murder and facing a possible death sentence for the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Utah County Attorney's Office

The prosecutors handling the case against Tyler Robinson.

Charlie Kirk

The victim who was shot and killed at a Turning Point USA rally.

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What they’re saying

“The state is content to use the still frames from the videos if (Robinson) stipulates that there were thousands of people present when Charlie Kirk was shot, many of them witnessed Mr. Kirk's shooting, his wound and emergency removal, that many of them witnessed that others were near Mr. Kirk when he was shot, and that there are many recordings of these facts. Otherwise, the state is entitled to prove these points with evidence, including exhibit 4.1.”

— Prosecutors

“The video 'is graphic and likely highly disturbing to any person who views it,' and that it could adversely affect his right to a fair trial.”

— Tyler Robinson, Defense

“The exhibits listed, including exhibit 4.1, are relevant because they demonstrate that (the adult child) is not a necessary witness: (the adult child) did not see the most important events of that day, while others did. For example, (the adult child) did not see Mr. Kirk get shot, his wound, Mr. Kirk get carried away, the shooter, or any other number of facts important to prove the elements of the charges. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of other witnesses who did.”

— Prosecutors

What’s next

The judge will decide on February 3, 2026 whether to allow the state to show the video of Charlie Kirk's killing if the defense does not agree to the stipulation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battle over the evidence that can be presented in the trial of Tyler Robinson, as prosecutors seek to prove their case while the defense argues to limit potentially prejudicial material. The outcome could have significant implications for the trial and the public's access to information about the high-profile killing of Charlie Kirk.