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Erika Kirk is seeking a speedy trial in the case against the man accused of killing her husband, Charlie Kirk, alleging that defense attorneys are using delay tactics to stall the proceedings, according to a court filing submitted this weekend.
The defendant, Tyler Robinson, is charged with fatally shooting Kirk at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University last year.
Under Utah law, crime victims have the right to request a prompt resolution of criminal cases. In the filing, Kirk’s attorney cited that provision while urging the court to move the case forward.
“The Utah Code affords victims of a crime ‘the right to a speedy disposition of the charges free from unwarranted delay caused by or at the behest of the defendant,’” attorney Jeffrey Neiman wrote, according to Fox News Digital.
Prosecutors said Friday that the discovery process is nearly complete. However, Robinson has not yet entered a plea or undergone a preliminary hearing, a required early stage in Utah criminal cases in which prosecutors must show a judge there is probable cause to proceed, Fox News reported.
The defense has also filed a motion seeking to disqualify the state prosecution team, alleging a conflict of interest because a deputy county attorney’s child was reportedly present in the crowd during the shooting. Prosecutors have rejected the claim and accused the defense of using the motion to delay the case.
The court has not yet ruled on the speedy trial request or the motion to disqualify prosecutors.
The move comes after a Utah judge ruled last month that a transcript and audio recording from a closed-door hearing connected to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk can be released with redactions, RSBN previously reported.
Judge Tony Graf said the transcript from the October proceeding would be made public immediately, while the audio would be released in the coming weeks once redactions are complete. The hearing concerned whether the defendant, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, could appear in court unshackled and in plain clothes.
Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.
