Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
newsSep 7, 202619:04

Judge Graf And The Order To Bind Tyler Robinson Over For Trial On All Counts Charged (Part 4) (9/7/26)

About this episode

Judge Tony Graf’s newly published written order explains why Tyler Robinson will stand trial on all seven charges in the killing of Charlie Kirk and why prosecutors can continue pursuing the death penalty. The key issue on the capital aggravated-murder count was whether the evidence established probable cause that Robinson knowingly created a “great risk of death” to someone other than Kirk. Graf said the fact that the shooting occurred in a crowded setting was not enough by itself. Instead, he relied on the documented positions of people surrounding Kirk, including the questioner standing in front of him and security personnel near the canopy, along with evidence that the shot allegedly came from an elevated rooftop roughly 415 feet away and 68 feet above the stage. Graf concluded that those circumstances supported a reasonable inference that at least one other person was within the zone of danger when the shot was fired.

Graf also found sufficient evidence at the preliminary-hearing stage to infer that Robinson would have been aware of those people when he allegedly fired. The judge pointed to evidence that Robinson had been at the location beforehand, that there was a clear line of sight from the southwest roof area to Kirk’s canopy and that the rifle allegedly used contained an optic. Graf stopped short of making findings about exactly what Robinson could see through the scope or calculating the probability that a bullet could have ricocheted, overpenetrated or deviated from its intended path. Instead, he ruled that the totality of the evidence was enough to satisfy the relatively low probable-cause threshold and bind Robinson over for trial. Robinson has pleaded not guilty to all seven counts, and the aggravated-murder charge remains the count carrying potential capital punishment as the case now moves into its full pretrial phase.


to contact me:

[email protected]


source:


Judge's order on accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson published by court | Fox News

Get every episode summarized

Each time The Diddy Diaries publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

Transcript ready

207 searchable segments. Every word is indexed and playable.

Judge Graf And The Order To Bind Tyler Robinson Over For Trial On All Counts Charged (Part 4) (9/7/26)

The Diddy Diaries

0:00
19:04

Full transcript

The Diddy DiariesJudge Graf And The Order To Bind Tyler Robinson Over For Trial On All Counts Charged (Part 4) (9/7/26). Machine-transcribed; use the interactive transcript above to jump the player to any line.

Dave Roberts here. There you are surrounded by fans, sharing wings, sharing drinks, high-fiving random strangers. Everybody remembers the game. Nobody remembers the guy coughing behind you until a few days later. At 2am, you wake up with a fever and your throats on fire. Now what? Urgent care, clothes, ER, slam, telehealth, maybe, but the pharmacy's clothes. You needed a medical emergency kit. These aren't first aid kits. They contain essential prescriptions used for over 30 common conditions. Sinus and ear infection, UTIs, stomach bug, travelers diarrhea, and more. On hand before you need them. Use your doctor-developed guidebook to select the right prescription or call their telemedicine doctor standing by. It's like an urgent care and drug store at home. When you're sick, traveling, or stranded, you'll wish you ordered a medical emergency kit. Order online in minutes and it's shipped to your door and say $45 with my promo code blue at urgentcarekit.com slash blue. That's promo code blue at urgentcarekit.com slash blue.

Shop vans and Albertsons for fresh savings every time you shop. This week at vans and Albertsons, get fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $199 per pound limit 10 pounds. And locally grown, grape-ary cotton candy grapes are $299 per pound with digital coupon. Plus, 24 packs of Canada Dry or 7-up 12-ounce cans are $499 limit 1 with digital coupon. Enjoy fresh and delicious savings for every meal. Hurry in, these deals won't last. Visit vans or Albertsons.com for more deals and ways to save. Mr. Kirk, because Mr. Kirk's political expression under Utah Code Section 76-3-203.14. Defendant disputes whether the evidence establishes the required motive.

For the reasons that forth below in the court's analysis of the sentencing enhancements, the court concludes that the state has established probable cause as to the victim targeting allegation. The court does not rely on defendants political associations, beliefs, or personal relationships standing alone. The relevant inquiry is whether the evidence reasonably supports an inference that defendant selected Mr. Kirk because of defendant's perception of Mr. Kirk's protected political expression. As explained below, section 76-3-203.14 does not expressly identify an additional penalty consequence for a capital felony conviction. The court therefore preserves the state's notice without deciding that the allegation independently alters the penalty applicable to count one, count two, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, first degree felony. To bind defendant over on count two, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury of first degree felony under Utah Code,

section 76-11, two-10-2, and two-3-C. The state must establish probable cause that defendant one discharged a firearm two in the direction of Charlie Kirk, three, knowing or having reason to believe that Charlie Kirk may be endangered by the discharge, and four, the act caused serious bodily injury to Charlie Kirk. The evidence described above supports a reasonable belief that defendant position themselves on the roof of the Losi building and discharged the Mauser 30-odd six rifle in the direction of Charlie Kirk. The medical examiner determined that Mr. Kirk died from a gunshot wound to the neck and classified the manner of death as homicide. The fatal gunshot wound constitutes serious bodily injury, accordingly count two is bound over for trial, count three, obstruction of justice, second degree felony. To bind defendant over on count three, obstruction of justice, a second degree felony under Utah Code, section 76-8-3062, the state must demonstrate probable cause

that defendant one acted with the intent to hinder, delay, or prevent the investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of any person. Two, regarding conduct that constitutes a criminal offense, and three, concealed or removed the firearm allegedly used in the shooting. Under that statute, the offense is a second degree felony. If the underlying conduct constitutes a capital or first degree felony, Utah Code 76-8306-2-C. The underlying charge homicide constitutes a capital or first degree felony for purpose of section 76-8306-2-C. Following the shooting, the Mauser 30-odd six rifle was concealed and a dense wooded area on the UVU campus wrapped inside a dark towel. Defend an alleged intent to hinder the investigation is supported by the text messages attributed to him, in which he stated that he had concealed his rifle by leaving it in a bush where he changed outfits. The alleged concealment

of the rifle and a wooded area after the shooting, together with the attributed messages concerning its concealment and possible recovery, supports a reasonable inference that defendant acted with intent to conceal physical evidence and hinder his apprehension. Count three is bound over for trial. Count four, obstruction of justice, second degree felony. The bind defendant over on count four obstruction of justice, a second degree felony under Utah Code 76-8306-2. The state must establish probable cause that defendant won, acted with the intent to hinder the lay or prevent the investigation, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of any person, to regarding conduct that constitutes a criminal offense, and three, destroyed, concealed or removed, the clothing allegedly warn the defendant. The state has presented sufficient evidence to establish probable cause as to count four. The UVU surveillance video depicts the shooter wearing a specific outfit as he moved towards the rooftop of the Losi building. The communications attributed to defendant's state that he changed

outfits in the wooded area where the rifle was left. The clothing depicted on the alleged shooter was not recovered. Those circumstances viewed together support a reasonable inference for purposes of this prelim hearing that defendant concealed or destroyed the clothing with intent required by the statute. Count four is bound over for trial. Count five, tampering with a witness, third degree felony. The bind defendant over on count five tampering with a witness, a third degree felony under Utah Code 76-8508. The state must demonstrate probable cause that the defendant, one, believed in official proceeding or investigation with pending or about to be instituted or intended to prevent an official proceeding or investigation and two attempted to induce or otherwise cause another individual to withhold testimony information, a document or an item. An instruction to delete communication may constitute an attempt to cause another person to withhold information or a document when made with the intent required by Utah Code 76-8508. After the shooting,

defendant allegedly sent Wiggs text messages in which he stated that he shot the victim and concealed the rifle. At the end of the exchange, defendant texted Wiggs delete this exchange. The surrounding circumstances support an inference that defendant knew law enforcement was investigating the shooting and searching for the person responsible. The instruction to delete this exchange, considered in context, supports a reasonable inference that defendant attempted to cause Wiggs to withhold those communications from investigators by deleting them. Count five is bound over for trial. Count six tampering with a witness, third degree felony. To bind defendant over on count six tampering with a witness, a third degree felony under Utah Code Section 76-8508. The state must demonstrate probable cause that the defendant, one, believed in official proceeding or investigation was pending or about to be instituted or intended to prevent an official proceeding or investigation and two, attempted to induce or otherwise cause another individual

to withhold testimony information, a document or an item. The state alleges that defendant committed this offense by directing his roommate to stay silent if police questioned them. Information at three. The evidence shows that on September 11, 2025, defendant sent a text message Lance Twiggs stating, if any police ask you questions, ask for a lawyer and stay silent. Defendant argues that count six must be stricken as a matter of law. He contends that this message was merely advising a loved one to exercise constitutional rights to remain silent and see counsel, which cannot standing alone constitute a criminal offense. Defendant therefore argues that the record does not support the required obstructive intent. The court considers this a meaningful distinction because the words ask for a lawyer and stay silent. Viewed nice elation, describe lawful advice concerning constitutional rights and do not themselves establish criminal intent. Standing alone, advising another person to request counsel and remain silent is lawful and does not establish

witness tampering. The state relies however on the context of the communication, including defendants earlier alleged instruction to delete this exchange. Viewed together and in the light most favorable to the state, those communications permit a reasonable inference that defendant intended to cause Twiggs to withhold information from investigators. The court does not determine at this stage whether that inference is ultimately more persuasive than defendants lawful advice explanation and it does not treat the exercise of legal rights or advice concerning those rights as criminal conducts standing alone. Although defendants lawful advice interpretation remains a reasonable competing interpretation, the surrounding communications permit the state proposed inference as well. Because the court may not choose between reasonable competing inferences at the prelim stage, probable cause supports count six, count six is bound over for trial. Count number seven, violin offenses committed in the presence of a child. Class B, misdemeanor,

reclassified as class A. The bind defendant over on count seven, violin offense committed in the presence of a child. A class B misdemeanor under Utah Code Section 76-3-203.102 and 2. The state must demonstrate probable cause that defendant one committed criminal homicide, two in the physical presence of a child younger than 14 years old, and three with knowledge that the child was present and may have seen or heard the commission of the criminal homicide. The state further alleges that the offense is reclassified as a class A misdemeanor under section 76-3-203.143A2 because the victim targeting allegation. The first two elements are supported by evidence of the charged homicide and evidence that children younger than 14 were physically present at the event. The disputed and closer issue is knowledge. Defendant argues that the state has not shown that from a distance of approximately 415 feet, he knew a child younger than 14 was present and might see

or hear the offense. Knowledge may be established circumstantially, but it cannot rest solely on the general proposition that children sometimes attend public events. The relevant question is whether the circumstances described in the record permit a reasonable inference that defendant knew a child was present. The state relies on several circumstances specific to the event. Defendant allegedly planned the shooting for more than a week. He visited the event area twice before the shooting and had an opportunity to observe the venue and preparations. The state's evidence places them at an elevated location with a clear line of sight toward the event area, where thousands of participants were present and the rifle contained an optical scope. The event video also depicts young children and infants within the event area. The court recognizes the force of defendant's argument that an opportunity to observe a large crowd does not necessarily establish knowledge that a child younger than 14 was present. The court therefore does not infer knowledge from crowd size alone.

The combined circumstances permit do not compel an inference that defendant knew a child was present and might see or hear the shooting. The court does not equate being familiar with the venue and opportunity to observe the crowd. Or the presence of an optical scope with actual knowledge, rather the court considers the circumstances collectively and under the prelim hearing requirement that reasonable inferences be drawn in the state's favor taken together, these circumstances are sufficient at this stage to establish probable cause as to the knowledge element. Whether defendant actually observed a child and whether the state's inference is ultimately persuasive remain questions for the trial effect. Count 7 is bound over for trial. Analysis of merger double jeopardy objections. Defendant argues that count 2 must merge with count 1 because both arise from a single gunshot directed at a single victim. Utah Code Section 761402 limits multiple convictions when one offense is included within another. But merger or narrowly concerns convictions and punishment.

And the fact dependent merger determination may be premature before the charges have been presented to the trial effect. At this stage the court determines only whether probable cause independently supports the charged defenses. The court does not decide whether either offense is ultimately a lesser included offense of the other. If convictions are returned on both counts, the merger issue may be addressed at the time under Section 761402. Analysis of the sentencing enhancements. The information presents three related but legally distinct matters. The separate offense charged in count 7 under Utah Code 76320310 the presence of a child sentencing consideration under Section 7632039 and the victim targeting allegation under 76320314 because these provisions have different legal effects. The court addresses them separately. Because the victim targeting allegation would reclassify count 7 from a class B to a class A

misdemeanor under Section 763203.143A2, that allegation is subject to the probable cause determination. See a friend I, 1st New Jersey, 530US 2000. The court also considers whether the remaining sentencing allegations have factual support without deciding that each constitutes a separate element of an offense. A presence of a child allegation. For the reason stated in the analysis of count 7, the record provides probable cause for the factual allegation that the charge conduct occurred in the presence of a child under 763203.9. That circumstance operates as a sentencing consideration rather than a reclassification of the underlying felony. B. Victim targeting allegations. Utah rule of evidence for 17 limits the use of defendant's expressions or associations in proving a victim targeting allegation. The evidence must otherwise be admissible and must specifically

relate to the defendant's selection of the victim. Pastor Engelhart's statement may establish the nature of Mr. Kirk's public expression, but it does not independently establish defendant's motive, knowledge, or state of mind. Defend and argues that the state is not established probable cause that he selected Mr. Kirk because of a qualifying personal attribute identified here as political expression. Utah Code section 76-3203141k2. The court therefore considers Engelhart's statement only for the limited purpose described above and looks to other evidence to determine defendant's alleged reason for selecting Mr. Kirk. When asked why he shot Mr. Kirk, defendant alleged response, I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out. The word hatred standing alone is ambiguous and does not establish the statutory motive. The state also presented evidence that defended identified Mr. Kirk by name in communications concerning the plan that shooting allegedly planned the shooting in advance and carried it out during a public event

associated with Mr. Kirk's political expression. Shop Vons and Albertsons for fresh savings every time you shop. This week at Vons and Albertsons get fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breast for $199 per pound limit 10 pounds and locally grown grape-ary cotton candy grapes are $299 per pound with digital coupon. Plus 24 packs of Canada Dry or 7-Up 12-ounce cans are $499 limit 1 with digital coupon. Enjoy fresh and delicious savings for every meal. Hurry in, these deals won't last. Visit vons or Albertsons.com for more deals and ways to save. Viewed together in the light most favorable to the state, those circumstances support a reasonable, though not compelled, inference that defendant selected Mr. Kirk because of perception of Mr. Kirk's political expression. The court does not determine whether that inference will ultimately prove more persuasive than other interpretations of defendant statement. At this stage, the targeting allegation satisfies the probable cost standard. Its legal consequence is differed by count. For count

7 section 76-3203.143A2 reclassifies the offense from a class B to a class A misdemeanor. For count 2, a first degree felony, the statute makes the victim selection and aggravating sentencing consideration rather than reclassifying the offense. Section 76-3203.14 does not expressly identify a penalty consequence for a capital felony. The court therefore does not decide that the statute authorizes an additional penalty for count 1. The state's notice remains preserved, but any asserted consequence for a capital felony conviction must rest on separately identified legal authority. This ruling does not affect the targeting allegation as applied to counts 2 and 7, ruling in order. For the four going reasons and based on the record and the party's emissions, it's hereby order that defendant Tyler James Robinson is bound over for trial in the fourth judicial district court on the following counts and sentencing allegations. A count 1 aggravated

murder, a capital felony, and violation of Utah Code, section 76-5202, including the capital aggravating circumstance under section 76-5202A3. B count 2 felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony, a violation of Utah Code, section 76-11-210-2 and 3C, including the victim targeting allegation under 76-3203.142, subject to the sentencing treatment described in 76-3203.143.B and the presence of a child aggravating factor under section 76-3203.9. 3. Abstruction of Justice, Second-degree felony and violation of Utah Code, 76-83062, D count 4, obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, and violation of Utah Code, section 76-83062, count 5, tampering with a witness, a third-degree felony, and violation of Utah Code

76-8508, count 6 tampering with a witness, third-degree felony, and violation of Utah Code, 76-8508. Count 7, Violin Offences, Committed in the presence of a child, a class B misdemeanor, under Utah Code, section 76-320310. Reclassified as a class A misdemeanor under 76-3203-3203A2, based on the victim targeting allegation, under section 76-3203.142. All evidentiary determinations in this order are limited to the prelim hearing and do not determine admissibility or the ultimate weight of the evidence at trial. Nothing in this order constitutes a final determination of defendant's guilt or witness's credibility. Defendant remains presumed innocent and the state bears the burden at trial of proving each charge of defense beyond a reasonable doubt. It's so ordered dated this first day of September 2026, and this order was signed by Judge Graff. All the information that goes with this episode

can be found in the description box.

More episodes

More from The Diddy Diaries

View all episodes →