Prosecutors say bullet engraving shows Charlie Kirk was targeted for his politics
- Prosecutors said an engraving on a bullet found in the suspected murder weapon — "Hey Facist! CATCH!" — shows Charlie Kirk was targeted for his politics.
- They argued that Tyler Robinson's motive could be an aggravating factor supporting the death penalty if he is convicted.
- Robinson is charged with aggravated murder and has not yet entered a plea; he turned himself in a day after the shooting.
- Defense lawyers dispute that the evidence proves a political motive and have also challenged the reliability of DNA evidence presented by investigators.
- Judge Tony Graf said he will decide after hearing both sides again on Sept. 1 whether the case will move forward to trial.
Prosecutors in the Charlie Kirk killing said a bullet engraving found in the suspected murder weapon points to political targeting. In a court filing, they argued that the inscription, "Hey Facist! CATCH!", was an overt political reference.
The filing is part of a dispute over whether Tyler Robinson, the man accused of fatally shooting Kirk, is eligible for the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors say the case includes aggravating factors, including political targeting and the risk to people nearby at the Utah Valley University event.
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder and has not entered a plea. He turned himself in a day after the Sept. 10 shooting. Prosecutors also cited a text message they say Robinson wrote about Kirk: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out."
Defense attorneys have argued that the evidence does not establish a political motive and have challenged DNA testing tied to the gun and to a tool allegedly used to engrave the cartridges. Judge Tony Graf is set to hear from both sides again on Sept. 1 before deciding whether the case proceeds to trial.
检方称子弹刻字显示查理·柯克因其政治立场遭针对
检方在查理·柯克遇害案中表示，在疑似凶器中发现的子弹刻字指向政治性针对。在法庭文件中，检方称“Hey Facist! CATCH!”这一刻文属于明显的政治指涉。
这份文件是围绕泰勒·罗宾逊是否在定罪后面临死刑资格的争议之一。检方称，本案存在加重情节，包括政治针对，以及犹他谷大学活动现场附近其他人的安全风险。
罗宾逊被控加重谋杀罪，目前尚未认罪。柯克于9月10日遭枪击身亡后一天，罗宾逊向警方自首。检方还援引了一条据称由罗宾逊写给柯克的短信，内容是“我已经受够了他的仇恨。有些仇恨是无法谈判化解的。”
辩方则认为，现有证据不足以证明政治动机，并对与枪支及涉嫌用于刻写弹壳的工具相关的DNA检测提出质疑。法官托尼·格拉夫表示，他将在9月1日再次听取双方意见后，决定案件是否进入审判阶段。