Earlier, Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf ruled that the accused will face trial, finding that prosecutors had sufficient evidence against him.
Robinson’s plea and the ruling came after prosecutors laid out what they called overwhelming evidence that a capital trial of Robinson, 23, was warranted for the murder of one of the US political right’s most prominent figures.
Defence lawyers had argued the shooting did not meet the standard for a death penalty charge.
Utah County attorneys accused the former apprentice electrician of firing the single shot that killed Kirk, 31, as he held one of his trademark campus debates that helped propel him to national prominence.
Graf ruled that Robinson should face trial on all seven charges against him, among them aggravated murder for endangering the lives of others at the event. That count carries the death penalty in Utah.
Utah County prosecutor Ryan McBride presented video of what he said was Robinson taking up a sniper position at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10, 2025, before he shot Kirk.
McBride said the four rounds in Robinson’s rifle demonstrated that the shooter was prepared to fire more rounds if the first missed, further endangering others.
Defence lawyer Staci Visser said the shooting endangered no one but Kirk, arguing that the crime did not meet the standard of aggravated murder.
During the hearing, the prosecutor cited test results that showed Robinson’s DNA was on the alleged murder weapon. Defence lawyer Michael Burt questioned the reliability of that testing.
McBride alleged that Robinson, who was in a relationship with his then-partner Lance Twiggs, targeted Kirk for his political views against gay marriage and transgender rights.
He cited a text message from Robinson in which he allegedly told Twiggs he shot Kirk because “some hate can’t be negotiated out”.
Defence attorney Richard Novak said it was unclear what Robinson referred to by “hate” and the wording did not imply he opposed Kirk’s political views.
Among those in the packed courtroom were Kirk’s parents, Robert and Kathryn, and his wife, Erika, who has taken leadership of the late activist’s conservative youth organisation. (Reuters)
