Fact Check: Did Tyler Robinson say he doesn't want death penalty amid preliminary hearings?

PROVO, UTAH: As the high-profile preliminary hearing in the case against Charlie Kirk's accused killer, Tyler Robinson, continues to draw attention, a new claim about the 23-year-old is circulating widely on social media. 

Viral posts allege that Robinson said he does not want the death penalty, with some suggesting his stance is tied to Utah's method of execution. The claim has fueled debate online, prompting questions about whether Robinson or his legal team actually made such a statement during the ongoing court proceedings.

Claim: Tyler Robinson said he doesn't want death penalty

As prosecutors pursue aggravated murder charges against Tyler Robinson, a case that could carry the death penalty under Utah law, a social media claim about his alleged stance on capital punishment quickly gained traction online.

One X user wrote, "Tyler Robinson doesn't want the death penalty because in Utah, the death penalty can be carried out by firing squad." The post also pointed to what the user described as an irony, noting that Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk at a Utah Valley University event in September 2025 before allegedly objecting to the same method of execution. The post ended with the remark, "Ironic, isn't it?"

The rumor spread because Utah is one of the few states that still allows execution by firing squad in certain circumstances, prompting users to speculate that Robinson opposed the death penalty for that reason.

During the proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence that included DNA found on the rifle, surveillance footage showing Robinson on campus before and after the shooting, and testimony from his roommate describing statements Robinson allegedly made after the incident.

Fact Check: False, no evidence supports claim

The claim is false. There is no evidence that Tyler Robinson said he does not want the death penalty because Utah allows executions by firing squad.

Court records and reporting on the case do not include any verified statement from Robinson expressing that view.

However, Robinson's defense team has challenged the possibility of a death sentence on legal grounds, including concerns that prosecutors' public statements could prejudice potential jurors. Those arguments focus on ensuring a fair trial, not on Utah's method of execution.

No court filing or statement from Robinson or his attorneys links his legal position to the state's firing squad law.

Chief Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander urged the judge to move the case forward, telling the court, "Your Honour's heard four days of testimony now. The evidence is overwhelming. It's devastating."

Utah County Judge Tony Graf will now decide whether the case should proceed to trial. The preliminary hearing drew significant public interest, with some people lining up overnight to secure one of the 14 seats available for spectators. Family members of both Robinson and the victim attended the proceedings and showed visible emotion throughout the hearings.