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Judge for Charlie Kirk shooting case holds prosecutor in contempt but keeps death penalty on the table
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 26, 2026
· 5 min read
By Andi Babineau, Nicki Brown, CNN
(CNN) — A Utah judge in the case against the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk ruled Friday to hold a prosecutor in civil contempt for violating a pretrial publicity order but opted to leave the death penalty in place as a possible outcome in the murder tria...
Key takeaway “Those additional public statements possessed a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing the proceedings by communicating the prosecutor’s assessment of the defendant’s guilt,” Judge Tony Graf said in issuing his ruling.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The ruling in the Charlie Kirk shooting case has implications for El Paso 's own discussions on pretrial publicity and the potential for jury pool contamination. As the case against Tyler Robinson moves forward, local attorneys and judges will be watching to see how the court balances the need for transparency with the requirement for a fair trial. In El Paso, where high-profile cases can quickly garner widespread media attention, the risk of prejudicing the jury pool is a concern that prosecutors and defense attorneys must navigate carefully. The decision to hold the prosecutor in contempt while still allowing the death penalty to be considered highlights the delicate balance that must be struck in these cases, and El Paso's legal community will be taking note of the strategies employed by both the prosecution and the defense as the trial progresses.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 5 min
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What is this story about? By Andi Babineau, Nicki Brown, CNN
(CNN) — A Utah judge in the case against the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk ruled Friday to hold a prosecutor in civil contempt for violating a pretrial publicity order but opted to leave the death penalty in place as a possible outcome in the murder tria...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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