Tyler Robinson consults with defence attorney Staci Visser on 1 September 2026

A 23-year-old Utah man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk โ€“ as a judge ruled prosecutors can seek the death penalty.

Tyler Robinson is charged with aggravated murder, a capital offence in Utah, and six other counts in connection with the shooting of Kirk at a campus event on 10 September 2025.

Defence lawyers had tried to have the death penalty taken off the table, but prosecutors argued that aggravating factors, such as firing into a crowd in the presence of children, warranted a capital trial.

Turning Point USA co-founder Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Kirk was credited with helping propel the youth vote for Trump

Jurors in Lindsay Clancy trial deadlocked but judge asks them to keep trying

Could Tupac verdict inspire new efforts to find killer of his rival the Notorious B.I.G.?

Woman killed in Times Square stabbing, suspect shot dead by police

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X, external to get the latest alerts.