Kirk killing Accused is charged and could face execution

Utah state prosecutors last night charged Tyler Robinson, the man accused of shooting dead the far-right activist Charlie Kirk with aggravated murder, meaning he could face the death penalty if convicted.

- Anna Betts, Ramon Antonio Vargas

Jeff Gray, the leading prosecutor in Utah county, said: "I do not take this decision lightly. And it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime." Gray said Robinson, 22, also ordered his roommate to delete incriminating text messages and stay silent if police questioned him in the aftermath of Kirk's killing at Utah Valley University on 10 September.

The charges filed against Robinson include aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and witness tampering. Aggravating circumstances elevating the charges to an offence deserving the death penalty were the 31-year-old "Kirk's political expression" and the fact that children "were present" to witness the murder, Gray said.

Citing information provided to investigators by Robinson's mother after his arrest in the killing, Gray made it a point to say that the suspect whose family was known to be conservative - "had become more political and had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro-gay and trans rights oriented".