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Utah Judge Sends Tyler Robinson to Trial and Keeps Death Penalty Option

The court’s probable‑cause bindover allows prosecutors to pursue aggravated murder with an aggravator that others were placed at risk, placing core forensic and motive evidence before pretrial judges.

Overview

  • Judge Tony Graf ruled on Sept. 1 that there is probable cause to bind Tyler Robinson over on one count of aggravated murder and six related counts, which preserves prosecutors’ ability to seek the death penalty.
  • Prosecutors told the court there is a large body of evidence tying Robinson to the shooting, including surveillance video, DNA on a recovered bolt‑action rifle and a wrapped towel, and recorded statements from his roommate and partner.
  • Robinson’s defense disputes the reliability and handling of forensic testing, challenges hearsay admissions and argues the law does not support the aggravating factor that the shooter knowingly put others at great risk.
  • Robinson pleaded not guilty to all seven charges after the ruling and the case is set for a pretrial conference on Oct. 23 with no trial date yet scheduled.
  • The case has drawn intense national attention, spawned online conspiracy theories that have affected public debate, and will likely produce extensive pretrial motions over evidence and the political‑motive enhancement before any verdict or sentencing.