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Tyler Robinson can avoid death row if his defence team can prove Charlie Kirk killing is not 'aggravated murder': Expert

After the defence counsel for Tyler Robinson sought another hearing to decide whether they want to force the prosecution to present evidence or

Defending attorneys Richard G. Novak, Michael N. Burt, listen as Kathryn Nester speaks to the judge in a waiver hearing for Tyler Robinson | Reuters, X

After the defence counsel for Tyler Robinson sought another hearing to decide whether they want to force the prosecution to present evidence or cross-examine their witnesses, a legal expert believes that the defence attorney assigned to the alleged Charlie Kirk killer would try to keep him off death row.

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"And that's probably their goal right now, or at least that's what they're thinking about," Fox News Digital quoted Maryland lawyer and analyst Randolph Rice as saying.

The defence team could seek a plea deal in a bid to spare Tyler a potential death row. The prosecutors will have prove to the court that Tyler committed aggravated murder that warrants death penalty.

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Rice said the defence might argue that Charlie Kirk's murder involved a single sniper bullet and a single target and hence no one else was in danger. "If they can prove that to a jury or they can convince a jury of that, then they won't get the aggravating murder, and therefore they won't have the death penalty on the table," the expert told the news outlet.

MAGA firebrand Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at the Utah Valley University. Tyler allegedly shot him with his grandfather's hunting rifle from a rooftop within the campus. Her later texted his trans lover Lance Twiggs, saying he killed Kirk as "some hate can't be negotiated out".

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Rice believes that the Robinson's defence team would need to hire forensic experts, mental health specialists and jury consultants for which they would require funding. Otherwise, they could be "hamstrung" before the trial begins.

Kirk's wife Erika Lane Kirk alias Erika née Frantzve, during her late husband's memorial service, said she has forgiven Tyler as "it was what Christ did, and it's what Charlie would do."

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Besides aggravated murder, Tyler also faces two counts of obstruction of justice for concealing the rifle used in shooting Kirk as well as for changing the clothes he wore during the crime.

Two counts of witness tampering was also slapped on Tyler as he asked his roommate to delete the "incriminating" text messages and asking the person to stay silent in case of police questioning. Other charges include one count of felony discharge of a firearm and one count commission of a violent offence in the presence of a child.