A lawyer for Erika Kirk has asked a Utah judge to ensure that there is a “speedy trial” for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting her husband, Charlie Kirk, at Utah Valley University in September.
“Nobody believed in the importance of the United States Constitution more than Charlie Kirk,” the widow’s lawyer, Jeffrey Neiman, wrote in a Friday court filing.
But, Neiman noted, while the Constitution affords Robinson a fair trial, it doesn’t guarantee him the right to cause “undue delay” in the criminal justice process.
The court filing, called an “invocation of speedy trial rights,” was filed on Friday, the same day that Robinson had been in court and one of his defense lawyers had attempted to delay the hearing — which has centered on whether the Utah County attorney’s office has a conflict and should not be allowed to prosecute the case.
During the hearing, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray accused the defense of using a “stalling tactic to delay these proceedings” — which defense attorney Richard Novak denied.
Erika Kirk’s attorney noted that Utah law affords crime victims a right to a speedy trial “free from unwarranted delay caused by or at the behest of the defendant.” Neiman asked 4th District Court Judge Tony Graf to consider this right while he makes decisions and rulings intended to ensure Robinson has a fair trial.
This request doesn’t automatically speed up the court process for Robinson. Utah law only says that Graf should consider “the interests of the victim of a crime to a speedy resolution of the charges” when he rules on whether to delay a previously scheduled trial or important hearing.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Tyler Robinson, left, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, sits beside defense attorney Kathryn Nester during a hearing in 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.
If he agrees that a delay is necessary, the law instructs him to “enter in the record the specific reason for the continuance and the procedures that have been taken to avoid further delays.”
[Read more: Mike Lee calls for public execution of accused Charlie Kirk killer]
Robinson is expected in court again on Feb. 3, where Graf will continue to hear testimony so he can determine whether Utah County prosecutors can stay on the case.
A key prosecutor’s adult child was at the Utah Valley University campus event where Charlie Kirk was fatally shot. Robinson’s defense team argues that there’s been no efforts to wall that prosecutor off from the case, and it creates such a conflict of interest that means the entire office should be banned from handling the criminal case against him. Gray, the Utah County attorney, disagrees and argues they can handle the case fairly.
Robinson is facing multiple charges, including aggravated murder, in connection with Kirk’s death. Prosecutors have indicated they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted.