Lawyers for Tyler Robinson have asked a Utah court to postpone his preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk murder case. The hearing is currently set for May. In court filings, the defence said it needs more time to review a huge volume of evidence and fresh forensic material that could shape its case.

Ballistics Report Becomes a Key Issue

The biggest flashpoint is a ballistics analysis by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. According to the defence filing, the agency could not conclusively match a bullet fragment recovered during Kirk’s autopsy to the rifle found near the shooting scene. The filing says the FBI is now conducting additional tests. Robinson’s lawyers signalled that they may call the ATF firearms analyst to give evidence at the preliminary hearing if the matter goes ahead on the current timetable.

Prosecutors Still Plan to Pursue the Case

Even with that dispute over the bullet fragment, the case against Robinson is still moving forward. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty. Robinson, 22, is charged with aggravated murder over the September 10 2025 shooting of Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He has not yet entered a plea. Prosecutors have also said DNA evidence links him to the killing.

Defence Says Discovery is Massive

The defence has argued that the case file is unusually large and still incomplete. A separate report says Robinson’s legal team claims it is still waiting for key DNA files from federal agencies and that digital forensic records gathered in September were only handed over this month. That same report says the discovery includes about 20,000 files, 61,500 pages of documents and images, and more than 700 hours of video.

Joe Kent Comments Add Political Noise

The case has also drawn extra attention after former US National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent publicly suggested that others may have been involved. Those comments were rejected by FBI public affairs official Ben Williamson, who said intelligence checks found no international links. A legal expert quoted by Deseret News said Kent’s remarks may muddy public debate, but are unlikely to change the core issue before the court: whether prosecutors can prove Robinson pulled the trigger.

A court hearing on the delay request is scheduled for April 17.