Who is Tony Graf, judge presiding over Tyler Robinson's hearing after Charlie Kirk shooting?

Judge Tony Graf formally charged Tyler Robinson with the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Tuesday.

Updated on: Sep 17, 2025, 02:57:52 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Judge Tony Graf formally charged Tyler Robinson with the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Tuesday. The suspect appeared for the virtual hearing days after he was arrested. The 22-year-old has been charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors said they are seeking the death penalty.

Judge Tony Graf formally charged Tyler Robinson on Tuesday (via REUTERS)

Who is Tony Graf?

Tony Graf is a judge in Utah's Fourth District Court, specifically in the Fourth Judicial District, which covers Utah County. He presided over the initial court appearance of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect charged in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem.

During the virtual hearing on September 16, 2025, at 3:00 PM MDT (5:00 PM ET), Judge Graf announced charges. He further added that the case is set for September 29. It will be a virtual hearing.

Graf's background includes roles as Deputy County Attorney at the Davis County Attorney’s Office, volunteer Judge Pro Tempore for the Salt Lake City Justice Court, and faculty for statewide prosecutor trainings. He has presented at legal and child advocacy conferences, served on the Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence, and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, with a bachelor's from Weber State University.

Prior to his appointment, he worked at the Utah County Attorney’s Office and Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

Kirk was gunned down while speaking with students at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors allege Robinson shot Kirk in the neck with a bolt-action rifle from the roof of a nearby building on the campus.

Charges against Tyler Robinson

Aggravated Murder – A first-degree felony under Utah Code § 76-5-202, carrying the potential for the death penalty, due to the intentional killing of Kirk during a public event.

Felony Discharge of a Firearm Causing Serious Bodily Injury – A second-degree felony under Utah Code § 76-10-508.1, reflecting the use of a Mauser 98 .30-06 rifle that resulted in Kirk’s death.

Obstruction of Justice – A third-degree felony under Utah Code § 76-8-306, based on evidence suggesting Robinson attempted to evade capture during the 33-hour manhunt following the shooting.

(With AP inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.