Who Is Kathryn Nester? Attorney representing Tyler Robinson in Charlie Kirk murder trial

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: Defense attorney Kathryn Nester has been appointed to represent Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting conservative figure Charlie Kirk during an appearance at Utah Valley University on September 10.

Nester was appointed under a contract with the Utah County Commission, which assigns attorneys to defendants who cannot afford private counsel.

In a statement announcing the appointment, Utah County officials said, “This action fulfills the Commission’s constitutional responsibility to ensure that individuals accused of a crime—who cannot afford legal representation—are provided with a qualified defense."

Kathryn Nester tried over 60 jury cases in state and federal courts

Defense Attorney Kathryn Nester previously served as head of the federal public defender offices in Salt Lake City and San Diego for more than a decade, according to her biography on the Nester Lewis PLLC law firm website.

According to Salt Lake City-based Nester Lewis PLLC, she has built a legal career spanning more than thirty years and tried over sixty jury cases in both state and federal courts, covering capital murder, homicide, complex fraud, wrongful death, civil rights disputes, employment discrimination, and catastrophic injury claims.

Nester is also a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and the International Society of Barristers.

She has received several honors, including Mississippi Trial Lawyer of the Year and the Federal Bar Distinguished Service Award from the District of Utah.

Nationally, Nester was appointed by the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court to the Advisory Committee on the Federal Rules of Evidence.

She also served on the National Steering Committee of the Clemency Project during the Obama Administration, overseeing more than 4,000 volunteer attorneys who assisted thousands of applicants with presidential clemency petitions.

Expert says Erika Kirk’s forgiveness may not affect death penalty case

Legal experts says Erika Kirk’s public act of forgiving her husband’s alleged killer will not influence the state’s decision to pursue the death penalty. Experts said that the state still makes all the decisions, per Fox News.

During her husband’s memorial service, Erika Kirk tearfully declared, “I forgive him,” in reference to Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. Her words were praised widely for their grace and strength.

Cully Stimson, a retired Navy JAG and senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told Fox News that Erika’s forgiveness is meaningful spiritually but carries no legal weight.

“Her grace as a religious person shows strength of character, but the justice system runs on law, not emotion,” Stimson said. He added that forgiveness does not erase legal responsibility or the state’s duty to seek justice.

Stimson noted the defense may use Erika’s words to argue against the death penalty, but ultimately, the state decides whether to pursue it.