Expert says Erika Kirk forgiving Tyler Robinson may not save suspect from death penalty

OREM, UTAH: A leading legal authority says Erika Kirk’s act of forgiveness toward the murder suspect will carry no weight in the death penalty case of the alleged killer. According to Fox News, experts note that the state still makes all the decisions.

Erika’s forgiveness of her husband Charlie Kirk’s accused killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been praised. However, when it comes to law and order, the process operates on a very different spectrum. 

Erika Kirk’s forgiveness has no bearing on death penalty case

Cully Stimson, a retired Navy JAG and now a senior legal scholar at the Heritage Foundation, made it clear that Erika Kirk’s public act of forgiveness is powerful on a personal and spiritual level. But he emphasized that faith does not weaken the prosecution’s case.

Stimson explained that while Erika’s “grace as a religious person” shows strength and honesty of character, the justice system runs on law, not emotion.

Forgiveness cannot erase legal responsibility or alter the state’s obligation to pursue justice. “Because she had the strength of character and the willingness to forgive as a Christian does not automatically have any bearing on whether the state can and should pursue the ultimate punishment, and whether the state will get a judgment including the ultimate punishment,” Stimson said.

As both a former prosecutor and defense attorney, Stimson said he can see the case going to trial.

He noted the defense will likely point to Erika’s public statement and could even argue, “Look, the victim’s widow has already forgiven our client, so there’s no need to pursue the death penalty.”

State holds power in Charlie Kirk case despite forgiveness

Cully Stimson said prosecutors may listen to Erika Kirk’s words, but he believes they will not change their plan to pursue the ultimate penalty.

According to Fox News, he explained that this is no longer a Kirk vs suspect matter, but the State of Utah vs the suspect. That distinction gives the state far greater leverage to seek the ultimate punishment, regardless of how the defense frames Erika’s “forgiveness” statement. 

What did Erika Kirk say about alleged killer Tyler Robinson?

Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, spoke at her husband’s memorial service on Sunday, September 21.

Her emotional remarks, in which she forgave Robinson, drew much praise from the audience. “Our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ That young man… I forgive him,” Erika said. “I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it’s what Charlie would do.”