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Sheriff Nate Brooksby Explains How Tyler Robinson Surrendered After Charlie Kirk Assassination at UVU
4:01
Governor Cox and FBI Director Kash Patel Announce Arrest in Charlie Kirk Assassination Investigation
1:11:23
Kash Patel and Utah Officials Announce Arrest of Tyler Robinson for Charlie Kirk Assassination in 33 Hours
29:51
Chris Stewart Breaks Down Seven Charges Against Tyler Robinson in Charlie Kirk Murder Case
Chris Stewart examines the seven criminal counts filed against Tyler Robinson, including capital murder charges that could result in the death penalty. Prosecutors revealed text messages Robinson allegedly sent his roommate after shooting conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, showing Robinson admitted to the killing and attempted to cover up evidence. The case has drawn national attention from President Trump, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, and federal authorities who may pursue additional terrorism charges. Stewart speaks with former federal prosecutor Nemo Romani about the strength of the evidence, the political dimensions of this assassination, and why Robinson's defense team will likely focus on avoiding the death penalty rather than arguing innocence.
Tyler Robinson Faces Capital Murder Charges
Tyler Robinson appeared in Utah County court via Zoom from jail, facing seven criminal counts for the alleged murder of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. The 22-year-old is being held without bond as prosecutors announced charges that could result in the death penalty if he's convicted.
The charges include aggravated murder (a capital offense), two counts of felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. Prosecutors emphasized that Robinson allegedly targeted Kirk based on his political expression and committed the act knowing children were present.
Damning Text Messages Revealed
Prosecutors unveiled text messages Robinson allegedly sent to his roommate immediately after the shooting. The exchange began when Robinson texted: "Drop what you're doing. Look under my keyboard." The roommate found a note stating: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it."
The text conversation continued with the roommate asking, "You weren't the one who did it, right?" Robinson allegedly responded, "I am. I'm sorry." When asked why, Robinson wrote: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."
Robinson allegedly detailed his efforts to retrieve the rifle he had hidden, expressing concern about leaving his grandfather's gun wrapped in a towel in some bushes. He mentioned engraving bullets with messages and worried about evidence being discovered. The roommate has been fully cooperative with law enforcement and is not facing charges.
Political Motivation Behind the Attack
This marks the first time prosecutors have officially stated that Robinson allegedly targeted Kirk because of his political beliefs. Charlie Kirk was a leading voice among young conservatives in America, and thousands had gathered to hear him speak at Utah Valley University when the shooting occurred.
Robinson's mother told investigators that over the past year, her son had become increasingly political, leaning more to the left and becoming more pro-gay and trans rights-oriented. Robinson had begun dating his roommate, a biological male transitioning genders, which resulted in several discussions with family members, particularly his father, who held very different political views.
In one conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned that Kirk would be holding an event at Utah Valley University. His father said it was a stupid venue for the event, and Robinson accused Kirk of spreading hate.
Family Members Sound the Alarm
Robinson's mother was the first to suspect her son might be involved. On September 11, 2025, the day after the shooting, she saw photos of the shooter in the news and thought the person of interest looked like her son. She called Robinson and asked where he was. He claimed he was at home sick.
Robinson's mother expressed concern to her husband, who agreed the suspect looked like their son. Robinson's father also believed the rifle police suspected was used in the shooting matched a rifle given to his son as a gift. When Robinson's father contacted him and asked for a photo of the rifle, Robinson didn't respond.
During a subsequent phone conversation, Robinson implied he planned to take his own life. His parents convinced him to meet at their home, where Robinson implied he was the shooter and stated he couldn't go to jail. When asked why he did it, Robinson explained: "There is too much evil and the guy spreads too much hate."
Robinson's parents, along with a family friend who is a retired deputy sheriff, convinced him to turn himself in. Robinson surrendered to authorities after speaking with his parents and the family friend.
Discord Messages and Online Admissions
Robinson was very active on Discord, a platform used by video gamers to communicate online. According to the Washington Post, he admitted in a group chat of more than 20 people that he killed Charlie Kirk. He allegedly wrote: "I'm surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments. Thanks for all the good times and laughs. You've all been so amazing. Thank you for everything."
Death Penalty on the Table
President Trump and Utah Governor Spencer Cox both indicated this would be a death penalty case, which was confirmed when Utah prosecutors announced they would seek capital punishment. Prosecutors laid out aggravating factors that could lead to the death penalty if there's a guilty verdict, including that Robinson shot into a crowd creating great risk of death to others, targeted Kirk based on political expression, and committed the act knowing children were present and would witness the homicide.
Legal Analysis: Prosecution's Strong Case
Former federal prosecutor and president of the West Coast Trial Lawyers, Nemo Romani, analyzed the charges. He emphasized that aggravated murder carries the potential death sentence in Utah, with the key aggravating factor being that Robinson shot into a crowd where he could have killed anyone.
Romani explained that jurors will have to weigh aggravating factors against mitigating factors. Aggravating factors include that the attack was plotted, planned, and premeditated; that it was an assassination in a public place with Kirk's wife and children and other children present; and that it was motivated to silence someone because of their political beliefs.
The defense will likely argue mitigating factors including that Robinson is only 22 years old, has no criminal history, and did turn himself in. However, Romani noted it will be very hard to get a not guilty verdict given the overwhelming evidence: DNA, admissions on Discord, surveillance video, and text messages.
Defense Strategy: Avoiding Death Penalty
Romani outlined that the defense's primary job will be keeping Robinson alive rather than arguing innocence. He explained there are typically three defenses in murder cases: "It wasn't me" (but Robinson's DNA is at the scene and there are admissions), "I didn't intend to do it" (but the attack was clearly premeditated with planning on Discord), or "It was self-defense" (which doesn't apply here).
An insanity defense would be difficult in Utah, where defendants must show they don't know right from wrong. By all accounts, Robinson is intelligent, did well on his ACTs, and was an engineering major. Romani suggested the defense should focus attention on the penalty phase rather than the guilt phase, similar to the strategy used successfully by Nicholas Cruz's defense team in the Parkland school shooting case.
Romani noted that Robinson comes from a good Mormon family and there will likely be Mormon jurors in Utah. While people won't make decisions based on religious reasons alone, some may have difficulty putting a young person to death. The defense only needs one out of 12 jurors to avoid a death sentence.
Potential Federal Charges and Terrorism
The case has drawn significant political attention, with the president, attorney general, and FBI director all commenting on it. Romani explained that while motive is not an element of the state crime, federal prosecutors could file terrorism charges. The FBI is involved in the investigation, and given Kirk's proximity to people in federal government, including the president, federal charges are possible.
Romani noted that terrorism requires intent to intimidate or coerce the public or government. He referenced the Luigi Mangione case where a judge dismissed terrorism charges because Mangione appeared to act for personal reasons without sharing a manifesto. However, Romani believes Robinson's case could constitute terrorism given the political motivation.
If convicted on federal charges, Robinson would likely serve time in federal prison, which Romani noted is generally considered preferable to state prison. He cited Derek Chauvin choosing to serve his sentence in federal prison after the murder of George Floyd.
The Path Forward
Robinson appeared in court and is being held without bond. The case will likely involve extensive litigation with the defense filing every possible motion, not necessarily expecting to win but to create appellate issues. Death sentences are more likely to be reversed on appeal than at trial, making this a key strategy.
The prosecution has a strong case with physical evidence, DNA, surveillance footage, text messages, Discord admissions, and family statements. The central question will not be whether Robinson committed the murder, but whether he will receive life in prison or the death penalty.
Video Transcript
This just in, our first look at Charlie
Kirk's accused killer since his arrest.
Tyler Robinson appears in Utah court via
Zoom from jail.
Roommate, why Robinson? Why did I do it?
Roommate. Yeah,
Robinson. I had enough of his hatred.
Some hate can't be negotiated out. And
just wait until you see the text
messages that we now have that Robinson
allegedly sent his lover roommate after
the shooting and what he allegedly told
that roommate to do that led to even
more charges against this accused
killer. A killer who could be put to
death if he's found guilty of the
charges he now faces. We're on the case
presented by Law and Crime. I'm Chris
Stewart.
All
[Music]
right, let's get to the updates that we
have in in the case of Tyler Robinson,
who is now charged with killing Charlie
Kirk, the conservative influencer. In
these text messages that we now have, I
just read through them, they will be
damning pieces of evidence in Tyler
Robinson's case. I mean, if this ever
even goes to trial. Now, take a look
here. Here's Robinson appearing in Utah
County, Utah court just a short time
ago, appearing via video call from jail.
He's now being held without bond. Now,
we also now know the charges that
Robinson is facing. Seven counts in all,
and they could mean that he will be put
to death if he's found guilty in a jury
trial. Prosecutors in Utah County
announced them today for the first time
at a news conference. Count one,
aggravated murder. A capital offense for
intentionally or knowingly causing the
death of Charlie Kirk under
circumstances that created a great risk
of death to others.
Count two, felony discharge of a firearm
causing serious bodily injury, a
firstderee felony.
The state is further alleging
aggravating factors on counts one and
two because the defendant is believed to
have targeted Charlie Kirk based on
Charlie Kirk's political expression and
did so knowing that children were
present and would witness the homicide.
The state is also charging
defendant with count three, obstruction
of justice, a secondderee felony
for moving and concealing the rifle used
in the shooting. Count four, obstruction
of justice, a third degree uh a
seconddegree felony for disposing the
clothing he wore during the shooting.
Count five, witness tampering, a
thirdderee felony for directing his
roommate to delete his incriminating
texts.
Count six, witness tampering, a
thirdderee felony for directing his
roommate to stay silent if police
questioned him.
And count seven, commission of a violent
offense in the presence of a child, a
class A misdemeanor, for committing
homicide, knowing that children were
present and may have seen or heard the
murder and did so based on Charlie
Kirk's political expression. Charlie
Kirk, of course, was a political figure.
Thousands of people came to hear him
speak at Utah Valley University. He was
one of the leading voices of young
conservatives in this country. But
that's not the only reason that there
was major suspicion that this was an
alleged political assassination. We know
that Robinson, once he was arrested, had
become more political. In recent years,
according to his family, we saw in the
bullets left by the rifle that he
allegedly left behind lines like, "Hey,
fascist catch." That politics may have
been the motivation for killing Charlie
Kirk. But today, for the first time,
prosecutors made that known as you heard
there because of some of the text
messages we're going to talk about and
some of the statements that Robinson had
made over the last couple of years. Now,
another major update coming in was
related to Robinson's roommate, and this
is where we get into these text
messages. Now, that roommates's been
identified as a member of the
transgender community, a man who's
transitioning to be a woman, and they
had been in a relationship with
Robinson. Robinson is facing two counts
of obstruction of justice for allegedly
trying to stop that roommate from
speaking to law enforcement and for
allegedly telling the roommate to delete
messages about the shooting. Now, I want
to be clear that law enforcement has
said that this roommate has been very
cooperative in the investigation and
they are not facing charges at this
time. Prosecutors though just unveiled
the bombshell text messages that Tyler
Robinson allegedly sent that roommate.
Take a listen. Police interviewed
Robinson's roommate, a biological mal,
who is was involved in a romantic
relationship with Robinson.
The roommate told police that the
roommate received messages from Robinson
about the shooting and pro and he did
provide those messages to police. On
September 10th, 2025, the roommate
received a text message from Robinson
which said, "Drop what you're doing.
Look under my keyboard." The roommate
looked under the keyboard and found a
note that stated, quote, I had the
opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and
I'm going to take it. Police found a
photograph of this note. The following
exchange, text exchange then took place.
After reading the note, the roommate
responded, "What?
You're joking, right?" Robinson, "I am
still okay, my love, but I'm stuck in
Orum for a little while longer yet.
Shouldn't be long until I can come home,
but I got to grab my rifle still." To be
honest, I had hoped to keep this secret
till I died of old age. I am sorry to
involve you.
Roommate, you weren't the one who did
it, right,
Robinson? I am I am I'm sorry.
Roommate, I thought they caught the
person. Robinson: No, they grabbed some
crazy old dude, then interrogated
someone in similar clothing. I had
planned to grab my rifle from my drop
point shortly after, but most of that
side of town got locked down. It's quiet
almost enough to get out, but there's
one vehicle lingering.
Before we get back to this episode of On
the Case, I need to take a moment and
stop and talk about our partners at
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Roommate, why? Robinson, why did I do
it? Roommate. Yeah,
Robinson. I had enough of his hatred.
Some hate can't be negotiated out. If I
am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will
have left no evidence.
going to attempt to retrieve it again.
Hopefully, they have moved on. I haven't
seen anything about them finding it.
Roommate, how long have you been
planning this? Robinson, a bit over a
week, I believe. I can get close to it,
but there is a squad car parked right by
it. I think they already swept that
spot, but I don't want to chance it.
Robinson again. I'm wishing I had
circled back and grabbed it as soon as I
got to my vehicle. I'm worried what my
old man would do if I didn't bring back
grandpa's rifle.
Ide
had a serial number, but it wouldn't
trace to me. I worry about Prince. I had
to leave it in a bush where I changed
outfits. Didn't have the ability or time
to bring it with. I might have to
abandon it and hope they don't find
Prince.
How the f will I explain losing it to my
old man? Only thing I left was the
rapple was the rifle wrapped in a towel.
Remember how I was engraving bullets?
The effing messages are mostly a big
meme. If I see notice Bulge UW on Fox
New, I might have a stroke. All right,
I'm gonna have to leave it. That really
effing sucks.
Judging from today, I'd say Grandpa's
Gun does just fine. IDK, I think that
was a two a2K
dollar scope.
Wink wink. We know that Robinson was
very active on social media,
specifically the platform Discord, which
is used for video gamers to communicate
online. It's being reported by the
Washington Post that he actually
admitted in a group chat of more than 20
people that he is the one who killed
Charlie Kirk. He allegedly said, quote,
"I'm surrendering through a sheriff
friend in a few moments. Thanks for all
the good times and laughs. You've all
been so amazing. Thank you for
everything." Now, investigators had said
that Robinson's dad confronted the
22-year-old about the shooting and
eventually confessed to the crime.
Robinson surrendered himself to
authorities after he spoke with his
parents and a family friend. His mom, we
found out today, was originally the
person who sounded the alarm when she
saw photos on the news of that person of
interest. And she thought that person of
interest looked like her son. On
September 11th, 2025, the day after the
shooting, Robinson's mother saw the
photo of the shooter in the news and
thought the shooter looked like her son.
Robinson's mother called her son
and asked him where he was. He said he
was at home sick and that he had also
been at home homesick. On September
10th, Robinson's mother expressed
concern to her husband that the suspect
shooter looked like Robinson. Robinson's
father agreed.
Robinson's mother explained that over
the last year or so, Robinson had become
more political and had started to lean
more to the left, becoming more pro-gay
and trans rightsoriented.
She stated that Robinson began to date
his roommate, a biological male who was
transi trans transitioning genders.
This resulted in several discussions
with family members, but especially
between Robinson and his father who have
very different political views. In one
conversation before the shooting,
Robinson mentioned that Charlie Kirk
would be holding an event at UVU, which
Robert Robinson said was a stupid venue
for the event. Robinson accused Kirk of
spreading hate.
Robinson's father reported that when his
wife showed him the surveillance image
of the suspected shooter in the news, he
agreed that it looked like their son. He
also believed that the rifle that police
suspected the sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh
sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh
sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh
sh sh sh sh sh shooter used matched a
rifle that was given to his son as a
gift. As a result, Robinson's father c
contacted his son and asked him to send
a photo of the rifle. Robinson did not
respond.
However, Robinson's father spoke on the
phone with Robinson. Robinson imply
implied that he planned to take his own
life. Robinson's parents were able to
convince him to meet at their home. As
they discussed the situation, Robinson
implied that he was the shooter and
stated that he couldn't go to jail and
just wanted to end it.
When asked why he did it, Robinson
explained there is too much evil and the
guy referring to Charlie Kirk spreads
too much hate. They talked about
Robinson turning himself in and
convinced Robinson Robinson to speak
with a family friend who is a retired
deputy sheriff. At Robinson father at
Robinson's father's request, the family
friend met with Robinson and his parents
and convinced Robinson to turn himself
in. Robinson was in court today on
Tuesday. He is being held without bond.
Now, you've heard from President Trump
and Utah Governor Spencer Cox over the
last several days that they say this is
going to be a death penalty case. And
today, that was confirmed by Utah
prosecutors filing that they will go for
the death penalty. And you also heard
them lay out what they believe are the
aggravating factors that could lead to
the death penalty if there's a guilty
verdict in this case. Joining us now is
former federal prosecutor and the
president of the West Coast Trial
Lawyers, Nemo Romani. Thank you as
always for taking time to be with us
here on Law and Crime as we just minutes
ago learned of these charges at the time
we're recording the seven counts that
Tyler Robinson is facing. What sticks
out to you with what Utah prosecutors
are going for here?
Chris, what sticks out to me is that
aggravated murder because of course it
carries the potential death sentence
there in Utah. So that's obviously the
most serious of the charges. The
aggravating factor is that Tyler
Robinson shot into a crowd. Obviously,
he hit Kirk, but he could have killed
anyone. And I think that is what
separates that type of murder from other
types of murder in this case.
And some of the aggravating factors that
the the prosecutor talked about, I mean,
clear Charlie Kirk himself was a
political figure. We're learning through
some of these text messages and discord
messages and what family members have
said that Tyler Robinson was very much
into his politics and did not like
Charlie Kirk um which is alleged uh of
course now but you know we we'll see how
the court process plays out. How what
goes into determining whether he will
actually get the death penalty.
So the jurors have to weigh the
aggravating factors with the mitigating
factors. So obviously the fact that this
was plotted, planned, premeditated,
that's going to be an aggravating
factor. To the extent that this was an
assassination in a public place with his
wife and children and other children
present, that's going to be an
aggravating factor. To the extent that
this was motivated to silence someone
because of their political beliefs,
that's going to be an aggravating
factor. The defense, of course, is going
to try to do everything they can to keep
Robinson alive. That is their sole job.
It's going to be very hard to get a not
guilty or an acquitt in a case like
this. There's so much evidence, right?
The DNA, those admissions on Discord.
We've all seen the surveillance video.
So, it's really going to be a case not
about the guilt phase, but the penalty
phase. And in mitigation, I think
they're going to talk about the fact
that this is someone who's 22 years old.
He has no criminal history. He did turn
himself in after a day or so. So those
are going to be factors in mitigation uh
in this particular case.
And we hear with with Tyler Robinson and
there is this big question of okay he he
was into his politics which was the term
that was in the police documents that
he'd become more political in recent
years. But he was someone who you could
look and say had become radicalized in
some way. He was an extremist when he
came to his mind because you would go to
the extent of killing someone who you
you disagree with politically. Why would
this not be a terrorism charge?
It potentially is a terrorism charge. So
obviously terrorism is unique in that
we're talking about the state case, but
of course the feds could also file this
case. And the easiest way to do so would
be to charge terrorism. We've seen the
feds file over the state recently in
some high-profile cases like Luigi
Manion, Carlos Brown in North Carolina.
So I wouldn't be surprised if that
happens. Now, in the Manion case, the
judge just dismissed the terrorism
charge there in New York in the state
case because terrorism requires an
intent to either intimidate or coers the
public or the government. Now, I'm not
saying that didn't happen here, but in
the Manion case, it seemed like, at
least according to the judge, that uh
Manion did it for his own personal
reasons. He didn't put his manifesto
out. He didn't share it with anyone. So
if someone is radicalized with their own
individual beliefs, I believe it's
terrorism as a former federal
prosecutor, but some judges may not, and
that's going to be a key distinction in
this case if they do move forward with
the terrorism charges. Look, motive is
an element is not an element of the
crime in the state case. So the
prosecution doesn't have to prove why he
did it. And again, I'm talking about
another case, but that happened to Brian
Coberger, right? Cobberer was convicted
of all these murder counts. We still
don't really know why he did it. So
motive may help the feds. It's not
necessary for the state prosecutors.
In talking about the federal charge part
of this because with the FBI involved in
this investigation, I mean clearly
Charlie Kirk was someone who's very
close to people who worked in federal
government, most notably the president.
What would go into the decision? Because
at this point, if the evidence is as
strong as it seems and you have someone
who could be found guilty of a crime
that would put them to death, why go
through if the government wanted to get
involved in charging him in federal
court as well?
Chris, there's law and there's crime,
law and crime, but there's also
politics, right? And the practical
reality is that there's a political
layer over this case. When you have the
president of the United States talking
about the case, the attorney general,
the director of the FBI is testifying
before Congress today talking about this
case and Jeffrey Epstein in other cases
as well. That's not typical. You have
the governor of Utah seemingly doing
daily press conferences on this case.
Again, it's not something that typically
happens. So when you have a lot of
elected officials
interested in a case, and I'm not saying
decisions are made for political
reasons, but the reality is that there
is a political component here. Charlie
Kirk was not your ordinary murder
victim. That's why I would not be
surprised. In fact, I expect to see
federal charges here.
And I thought it was interesting some of
the aggravating factors, and they
mentioned it it twice. You have the the
seventh county's facing this commission
of a violent offense in front of
children. And then one of the
aggravating factors that they talked
about related to the aggravated murder
and the felony discharge of a firearm
and that is that it was done in front of
children. I mean Charlie I believe his
own kids were actually here which is
horrific to think about as well as
several other young people that were
there at this event. Um, but is that
just a specific Utah law or is that one
in I mean clearly I could see doing an
offense in front of a child would be
something that deserves punishment. But
um that was just the first time I had
heard specifically that talked about in
charges.
Yeah, it's definitely a Utah state
specific law. They certainly wanted to
bring in evidence that this was done in
front of his wife and kids. I mean
that's something that it's not going to
add a whole lot to the sentence, but it
can bring more evidence in. And look,
we've all seen the videos. They are
horrific. They are gut-wrenching. You
know, I thought I'd seen it all in my
almost 25 years of practice, but some of
the most uh gruesome murders that I had
seen and really in a public place with,
you know, thousands of people
potentially present. So, again, an
aggravating factor both in terms of the
danger to the public, but also the fact
that it was committed in front of his
wife and kids.
I also think too um where if he was to
face federal charges, would that if he's
found guilty, say he's found guilty in
Utah for the the charges that we're
talking about here, but then there's
federal charges, would he go into the
federal prison system or would he be a
Utah you because I think of a place like
the Supermax where you have a lot of
high-profile
uh inmates, Johar Zarnay of the Boston
Bombers there for example. I mean, is
that something that potentially could be
in the future of Tyler Robinson if found
guilty on federal charges? potentially.
Yes, Chris. And I can tell you that he
probably wants to serve federal prison
time. The reality is federal prisons are
a lot nicer than most state prisons.
Derek Schovin for the murder of George
Floyd chose and asked to serve his time
in federal prison. Now, he's also a
police officer and he didn't want to run
into some of his uh former arrestes in
state prison, but there's no question
that uh if we're talking about life
sentences, most inmates would rather
serve federal time than state time
because again, you have less violent
criminals, you got a lot more white
collar types as well in federal prison.
And then when it comes to his defense,
and I know we were talking about that at
the beginning, where it may not be a he
wasn't the one who did it, but it's
just, you know, can you get him a life
sentence without the death penalty. Um,
what would you need to happen? I know
we're in the very early stages today.
He's expected to make his first court
appearance. But as a defense attorney,
what would you need to happen for things
to go your way in a trial, considering
all the evidence and all the political
pressure and anger surrounding this this
suspect and defendant?
Chris, your number one job as a death
penalty qualified lawyer is to keep your
client alive. So, there's two phases to
these murder trials and a death penalty
case. There's the guilt phase and
there's the penalty phase. It's going to
be very tough to defend this case in the
guilt phase. So, typically in murder
cases that we cover here on the law and
crime. You'll see one of three defenses.
It wasn't me. Well, we've all seen the
video. His DNA is at the scene. We have
his admissions. Um, I didn't intend to
do it. It was an accident. Well, again,
it was premeditated. We have Discord
messages before where he's planning
this. It was clearly premeditated. he's
using uh a boltaction rifle with a
scope. And the third was that it was
self-defense. I don't think any of those
defenses apply. It's very hard to get a
diminished capacity or insanity type
defense in most states, especially Utah.
You really have to show that you don't
know right from wrong. By all accounts,
Tyler Robinson's a smart kid, did well
on his ACTs, was an engineering major.
So, I think if you're the defense here,
Chris, you really got to plead guilty
during the guilt phase or don't put up
much of a defense and focus your
attention on the penalty phase. We saw
this strategy work with some success uh
with Nicholas Cruz, the Parkland school
shooter, right? The defense just focused
all their attention to save his life.
And ultimately, they were successful
because you have to get 12 out of 12
jurors. It's very hard to get a death
sentence, especially for someone who's
younger. I'm not saying you can't get
there if you're the prosecution, but
it's not a foregone conclusion like a
guilty verdict is. So, I think the
defense will lean into some of the
mitigating factors that we talked about.
And look, the reality is that he comes
from a good Mormon family reportedly.
There's a lot of Mormon jurors in Utah.
I'm not saying people are going to make
decisions based on religious reasons,
but some people may have a tough time
putting this kid to death. And you only
need one out of 12 jurors if you're the
defense. The other thing we'll probably
see them do is the Coberger strategy is
litigate everything. File every motion
you can. Not because you think that you
actually have a chance of success, but
to create appellet issues because we
know that it's much easier and more
likely to get a death sentence reversed
on appeal because there's mandatory
state and federal appeals than actually
convincing a death penalty qualified
jury not to return a death sentence.
Yeah. Fasting. I mean, we we'll see how
this plays out. I mean, certainly now we
have the seven counts that he's facing
and we'll see how the the court case of
what has been um a very political story,
how that now plays out. Nemo Romani,
it's always great to have you on Law and
Crime. Thanks for being with us.
Of course, Chris, thanks for having me.
Talk soon.
That will do it for On the Case
presented by Law and Crime. Subscribe to
us on YouTube and Spotify. I'm Chris
Stewart. We'll see you next time.
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