Utah State District Judge Tony Graf dismissed a motion from Tyler Robinson’s defense team seeking to disqualify prosecutors in the case of the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. The defense argued that a daughter of one of the prosecutors was present at Kirk’s event when he was killed on September 10, 2025, and claimed this created a conflict of interest.

Judge Graf ruled that the daughter’s presence “did not materially influence” the prosecutor’s actions and noted she had “no unique, relevant information” that would affect the trial. Utah County Attorney Jeffrey S. Gray stated there was “virtually no risk” that the prosecutor would be emotionally compromised, citing testimony from the daughter that she did not witness the shooting directly and only realized the attack had occurred after reaching safety.

Robinson, who appeared virtually for the hearing, faces aggravated murder charges that carry the possibility of the death penalty under Utah law. The judge’s decision ensures the trial remains on schedule, with prosecutors planning to pursue capital punishment.

The defense had also suggested that the prosecution’s prompt decision to seek the death penalty was influenced by President Donald Trump’s public comments following the assassination. Gray said the timing was intended to avoid media speculation and reduce uncertainty for the victim’s family, particularly Erika Kirk.

Judge Graf’s ruling comes just hours before President Trump’s State of the Union address, where Erika Kirk will attend as a guest. The decision adds to prior rulings favoring the prosecution, including a late-2025 order allowing cameras in the courtroom despite defense objections about trial fairness.

The trial continues to move forward as Robinson has yet to enter a plea, and prosecutors maintain their plans to seek the death penalty.