A Utah judge held prosecutors in contempt of court on Friday for public comments about defendant Tyler Robinson's guilt in the murder of Charlie Kirk, an ally of President Donald Trump. Judge Tony Graf ruled that Deputy Utah County Attorney Christopher Ballard violated restrictions on out-of-court statements by asserting that prosecutors had ample evidence to prove Robinson's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Judge Denies Death Penalty Removal
However, Judge Graf denied a defense request to remove the death penalty as a sanction for the violation. He called such a penalty "grossly disproportionate" to the misconduct, and said the issue could be addressed through juror screening to eliminate bias.
Robinson, 23, from southwestern Utah, has not yet entered a plea. He is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 assassination of Kirk, who was shot in the neck while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University.
Prosecutor's Media Comments
Defense attorneys accused Ballard of a "media tour" to discuss ballistics evidence. Ballard argued he had a right to correct misinformation after a preliminary ballistics test failed to match a bullet fragment with the suspected murder weapon. The Daily Mail reported that the bullet "did NOT match" the rifle, fueling conspiracy theories of a second shooter or a staged death.
Ballard told media the tests were inconclusive. Judge Graf said those comments did not violate court rules, but Ballard went too far by stating there was "ample evidence to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that Tyler Robinson committed this murder."
Potential Jury Bias
Graf said the additional statements had a "substantial likelihood" of prejudicing the case, though he noted no malicious intent. Authorities have found DNA consistent with Robinson's on the rifle's trigger, cartridge casing, unfired cartridges, and a towel used to wrap the weapon.
The Associated Press left messages seeking comment from prosecutors and Robinson's lawyers.
