A Utah judge has cleared the way for the current prosecution team to proceed in the capital murder case against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk last year.
On Tuesday, Fourth District Judge Tony Graf officially denied a defense motion to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office, rejecting the argument that a prosecutor’s personal connection to the crime scene constituted a conflict of interest.
The legal challenge centered on Chad Grunander, a chief deputy attorney involved in the case. Robinson’s defense team, led by attorney Richard Novak, argued that because Grunander’s daughter was present in the crowd during the September 10, 2025, shooting, the prosecution was compromised.
Novak contended that the daughter’s proximity to the violence “raises serious concerns about past and future prosecutorial decision-making.”
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However, following evidentiary hearings held in January and February, Judge Graf ruled that the defense failed to prove that the daughter’s presence influenced the state’s handling of the case. In his decision, Graf noted that the daughter was never harmed, was not treated as a witness by police, and did not suffer lasting trauma that would impact her father’s professional objectivity.
“Because defendant has not established a factual basis for a finding of conflict of interest or an objective appearance of impropriety rising to a constitutional concern, his motion is respectfully denied,” Graf stated.
The court’s findings detailed the daughter’s experience during the chaos, noting that while she felt afraid for her life while running into a nearby building, she quickly messaged her father to let him know she was safe. Graf pointed out that she heard the gunshots but was not interviewed by law enforcement until after the defense filed the motion to disqualify.
According to the judge, Grunander was initially startled by his daughter’s texts but felt reassured once he knew she was okay.
Robinson faces a heavy slate of charges, including aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm. He is also charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly hiding a rifle and discarding clothing, witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in front of children.
Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray confirmed shortly after the incident that the state is seeking the death penalty.
The shooting occurred near the Utah Valley University campus, where Robinson is alleged to have fired from a rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck. The investigation gained momentum two days later when Robinson’s own parents recognized him in FBI security footage. After a confrontation with his family, Robinson reportedly confessed and expressed suicidal ideation.
This led his father to contact a youth pastor with law enforcement experience, who helped broker a “peaceful surrender” with Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby.
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