Attorney for alleged Charlie Kirk assassin cites inclusive AFT report in request to delay trial

Attorneys for the man charged in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk are citing a report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on inconclusive results between a bullet recovered in Kirk's autopsy and a rifle found near the scene of his assassination in a request to delay a May preliminary hearing.

The defendant, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson is charged with murder in connection to Kirk's assassination in September 2025 at Utah Valley University. He has yet to enter a plea in the case, CBS News reported.

Robinson's attorneys, in recent court filings, asked for the hearing to be delayed so they have more time to review all the material and a bullet analysis that could contribute to their client's defense.

According to court documents, the FBI is "in the process" of conducting a second bullet analysis and another analysis of the lead used to make the bullet.

While the ATF report has been kept private, Robinson's lawyers have cited snippets in other public filings that say the analysis results were inconclusive.

They said in their motion that they may try to use the bullet analysis to clear Robinson of blame during the preliminary hearing, in which prosecutors will try to show they have enough evidence against him to proceed with a trial.

According to prosecutors, DNA consistent with Robinson's was found on the rifle's trigger, the fired cartridge casing, and two unfired cartridges. Defense lawyers note that forensic reports indicate multiple people's DNA was found on some items, which they say requires a more complex analysis.

Robinson reportedly texted his romantic partner that he killed Kirk because he had "had enough of his hatred," according to prosecutors.

On April 17, Robinson is due back in court for a hearing on a defense motion to ban cameras from the courtroom.