Kirk murder: defense objects to prosecutor's conflict of interest

Lawyers representing the man accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk asked the court on Tuesday to dismiss the charges due to an alleged conflict of interest. They argue that the chief prosecutor's daughter was a direct witness to the shooting.

In court filings, the defense emphasized that the district attorney's decision to seek the death penalty shortly after the murder indicates a strong emotional involvement, which, according to the defense, stems from his daughter's presence at the scene of the crime.

The prosecution rejects any allegations of bias and claims that the prosecutor's daughter was just one of many people in the crowd and will not be questioned.

During the trial, prosecutors want to show a video recording of the murder, which the defense rejects on the grounds that it is explicit material that could jeopardize the defendant's right to a fair trial. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for mid-May.

The defendant, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, faces seven charges, including aggravated murder, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. The crime took place on September 10 last year on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, where Kirk was speaking to students during a university tour. According to the indictment, Robinson fired a single bullet from the roof, which struck Kirk.

(reuters, max)