Judge faces ‘biggest legal case in Utah history’ in Charlie Kirk killing: lawyer

Two lawyers from Utah He says newly appointed Judge Tony Graff will bring justice, experience and steady leadership to the state’s most watched murder trial, a case he calls “the largest legal case in Utah history.”

Defense attorney Skye Lazzaro told Fox News Digital that she expects Graff to move closer to the high-level proceedings involving Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating him. charlie kirk, With diligence and balance.

“He’s very conscientious… very fair,” Lazaro said. “I expect he will be sworn in seriously working on this issue.”

Graff, who served as Utah’s longtime prosecutor before being appointed to the bench, will oversee the capital case against Robinson, the defendant in the high-profile murder of the Turning Point USA founder. Lazaro, who has known Graf professionally for years, said his background provides valuable experience but does not compromise his impartiality.

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4th District Judge Tony Graf reads charging documents as Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect in the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, appears on camera Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, for his first appearance in Provo, Utah. (Scott J. Winterton/Pool via Deseret News)

“He’s familiar with the criminal justice system. I don’t think this will affect his judgment one way or the other,” she said. “He will decide fairly, to the best of his ability, based on what is in front of him.”

Attorney Nathan Evershed, offline To the Robinson case But previously working alongside Graff, he told Fox News Digital: “This case is not only huge, it could literally be the largest legal case in the history of the state of Utah. There has never really been a case like this that is of significance not only on a national level but also on an international level.”

He noted that Graf had “less than two months on the bench” when he was assigned to the case, and described the appointment as “seemingly…allocated at random.”

Evershed, who worked with Graf in the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, described him as “very diligent, very diligent,” and someone who “got there early, understood his cases and really cared about doing the right thing.”

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Judge Tony Graf enters the courtroom as Tyler Robinson, accused of shooting Charlie Kirk, attends a virtual hearing from jail on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Provo, Utah. (Scott J. Winterton/The Deseret News via AP, Pool)

While Graf lacks judicial experience, Evershed said he brought with him “years and thousands of hours of courtroom experience” from his time as a prosecutor. “He has been on trial several times… He has been a prosecutor for many years,” he said.

Evershed called the case “a defining moment in Graf’s career” not only for Graf but “literally for everyone involved in this case.”

“This is going to be something that will be in the news for a long time, especially here in Utah,” he said. “I have no doubt that this matter will go to trial…which will take several weeks and…be subject to intense scrutiny.”

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Lazaro stressed that Graf’s commitment to judicial balance, between the rights of victims and the constitutional protection of the accused, will be decisive in a case already saturated with public interest.

“All judges… take their oaths seriously,” she said. “Part of that is being impartial and making judgments based on the facts and the law… I expect he will do his best to be impartial and uphold his duty to his position,” he added.

Lazaro described the growing number in Utah County Death penalty files as “rather unique or unlucky” for a newly appointed judge to encounter so early in his term.

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Booking photos of Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect in the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in Utah. (Utah Governor Spencer Cox)

“There is a very steep learning curve going from practicing law to sitting on the bench,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean he won’t do a good job… This issue will be under the microscope for years.”

Lazaro pointed out that death penalty cases impose severe professional and personal pressures, not only on lawyers and court staff, but also on the judges who preside over them.

“Death penalty cases are difficult…and when you add media and political pressure to it — and calls for the death penalty early on — it makes it even more difficult,” she said. “It takes a toll on everyone involved.”

Despite the national attention the case has received, Lazaro said a change of venue is unlikely.

“I don’t expect this case to change unless the defense moves on it or there is a struggle,” Lazaro said. “You’re not going to get a more favorable jury with a change of venue because it’s nationally known… everyone is talking about this case.”

While acknowledging the challenges, Lazaro expressed confidence in Graf’s ability and integrity.

They added, “Any person appointed to the judiciary is considered qualified and experienced enough to deal with any type of case.” “I don’t want to be in his place, but I expect he will do the best he can.”

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The exterior of the 4th Judicial District Court as Tyler Robinson appears via video for his first court appearance in Provo, Utah, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. Robinson faces charges in the murder of Charlie Kirk. (Derek Schock for Fox News Digital)

“He has a very calm demeanor. I think he has a very strong presence as well. He’s someone who doesn’t easily back down from his convictions,” Evershed said, describing Graf’s demeanor.

That will serve Graf well as the case unfolds under intense national attention and potentially “years of appellate review,” he said.

“This is a death penalty case,” Evershed said. “If the death penalty is enacted, this will be an issue that will be subject to intense scrutiny in terms of judicial rulings, orders, reviews and rulings on evidence.”

“Your heart really goes out to him,” Evershed added. “You would hope to have at least 10 years of experience on the bench to deal with this kind of quagmire. In this case, he had less than two months.”

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“I think Judge Graf reflects well the judiciary in the state of Utah,” he said. “He’s an experienced attorney. He’s a careful person. He’s someone who likes to show respect to everyone in the courtroom.”

“He’s not someone who puts his thumb on the scale prematurely to get certain results,” Evershed added. “He understands his role… in judicial restraint and ensuring that matters are dealt with appropriately.”

Everscheid said the case will be long and complex, but he believes Graf is ready to take on the challenge.

“The volume of hearings…the volume of applications that will be submitted…we can’t even calculate that,” he said. “It will take a long way, but we will eventually get there.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Utah Administrative Office of the Courts.

Stephenie Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and immigrant crimes. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.