Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of killing American conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, was officially charged on Tuesday in Utah.
Prosecutors announced that they will seek the death penalty, while the motive for the crime remains unclear, nearly a week after the attack that shocked the American public and deepened political tensions in the United States.
Wearing a Vest to Prevent Self-Harm
Robinson appeared in court on Tuesday via video conference for the first time since his arrest, facing charges of murder, illegal firearm possession, and obstruction of justice, as reported by Sky News.
Robinson, seen on a screen expressing himself from the Utah county jail where he is held, only spoke to confirm his name. Otherwise, he remained silent and appeared calm during the brief hearing.
Judge Tony Graf read the charges against him and stated that a new hearing will take place at the end of the month.
Robinson seemed to have no legal representation and was seen wearing a green vest with straps designed, according to the New York Times, to prevent self-harm.
He nodded slightly at times, but for the most part, he stared straight ahead as the judge read the charges against him and informed him that an attorney would be appointed to represent him.
Prosecutor Requested the Death Penalty
Far from Washington, in Provo, Utah, near the scene of the tragedy, the local prosecutor previously announced in a press conference the official indictment of Tyler Robinson and requested the death penalty for the alleged assassin.
Tyler Robinson was arrested 33 hours after the shot that killed Charlie Kirk, reported by his father, who recognized him in the police-released images. Although he is not cooperating with authorities since his arrest, his involvement is confirmed by DNA traces collected near the crime scene, announced Kash Patel on Monday.
The FBI Director also mentioned a note that the alleged assassin reportedly left before committing the crime. "The suspect essentially wrote, 'I have the opportunity to eliminate Charlie Kirk and I will do it'," Patel revealed.
Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday, September 10, with a single bullet to the throat while moderating a debate on a university campus in Utah, in the western part of the country, a tragedy that highlighted the deep political divisions in America.
This 31-year-old figure of the American right used his millions of social media followers and his university appearances to defend Donald Trump and spread his nationalist, Christian, and traditionalist ideas about family to young people.