Charlie Kirk murder suspect uses Bryan Kohberger playbook: former prosecutor

Key Points:

• Tyler Robinson, accused of assassinating conservative figure Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in September 2025, has delayed entering a plea by filing numerous pretrial motions, postponing court proceedings until a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 6-10.
• Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani notes Robinson's defense is employing a strategy similar to that used by Bryan Kohberger’s legal team, focusing on challenging legal procedures and motions to potentially avoid the death penalty and prepare for appeals.
• Robinson's defense has sought to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office, suppress evidence, and accuse prosecutors of violating gag orders, aiming to pressure for a plea deal of life without parole rather than the death penalty.
• Judge Tony Graf Jr. denied Robinson’s request to compel testimony from his former roommate Lance Twiggs but allowed prerecorded testimony and hearsay evidence during the preliminary hearing, with a ruling on the gag order violation and death penalty status expected soon.
• Robinson’s legal team also attempts to block various pieces of evidence, including medical examiner and forensic reports, continuing a protracted legal battle reminiscent of other high-profile murder cases.