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Judge Keeps Hearing Open as Utah Prosecutors Face Conflict Bid in Charlie Kirk Killing Case

A judge refused to close testimony as a prosecutor was publicly identified over a defense claim of conflict.

Overview

  • Defense lawyers moved to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office after senior prosecutor Chad Grunander testified his adult daughter attended the Utah Valley University rally where Charlie Kirk was shot.
  • Grunander recounted texts and a brief call from his daughter during the chaos, including a message that said someone had been shot and that people were running.
  • Utah County Attorney Jeffrey S. Gray said his intent to seek the death penalty was unaffected by the prosecutor’s family connection or by President Trump’s social media post calling for capital punishment.
  • Judge Tony Graf denied a request to take the prosecutor’s testimony behind closed doors and rejected a defense bid to bar the county attorney’s office from representing itself in the conflict hearing.
  • Erika Kirk filed to invoke victims’ speedy‑trial rights, and the defense separately asked the court to prohibit video recording and still photography in the courtroom.