Judge to rule on disqualifying prosecutors in Charlie Kirk killing case

The suspect's attorneys argue a prosecutor has a conflict of interest because his adult daughter was in the audience when Kirk was shot.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A Utah judge is expected to decide on Tuesday whether to keep prosecutors on the murder case against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus. Robinson's attorneys argue that Chad Grunander, a deputy county attorney working on the case, has a conflict of interest because his adult daughter was in the audience when Kirk was shot.

Why it matters

This case has drawn national attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim, Charlie Kirk, a co-founder of Turning Point USA who helped mobilize young people to vote for former President Donald Trump. The potential disqualification of the prosecutors could significantly impact the trajectory of the case.

The details

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Robinson, 22, who is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Robinson has not yet entered a plea. The defense attorneys also argue that prosecutors were quick to announce their intent to seek the death penalty, which they say is evidence of 'strong emotional reactions' that merit disqualification of the entire team.

  • The judge is expected to make a decision on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The shooting incident occurred on September 10, 2025.

The players

Tyler Robinson

The 22-year-old man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Chad Grunander

A deputy county attorney working on the case, whose adult daughter was in the audience when Kirk was shot.

Charlie Kirk

The conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA who was killed in the shooting.

Judge Tony Graf

The Utah state district judge presiding over the case and weighing whether to disqualify the prosecutors.

Jeffrey Gray

The Utah County Attorney who testified that he thought about seeking the death penalty before an arrest had been made in the case.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the Utah County Attorney's Office to continue prosecuting the case against Tyler Robinson.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal issues that can arise when a high-profile crime occurs, including concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential impact on the fairness of the proceedings. The judge's decision on the prosecutors' disqualification will be a key moment in the ongoing legal battle.