Judge Tony F. Graf Jr. is a Utah Fourth District Court judge appointed by Gov. Spencer Cox in May 2025. He serves Juab, Millard, Utah and Wasatch counties and is presiding over the criminal case against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
As of October 24, 2026, the case against Robinson has been bound over for trial, but Judge Graf has not yet set a trial date. At an October 23 pretrial hearing, Graf said he needed additional time to consider the parties’ proposed schedules and planned to address the matter at a November 9 hearing.
Graf’s public biography identifies him as an experienced prosecutor, legal educator and former local civic official. However, publicly available court and government biographies do not list his age, spouse, children or personal political affiliation.
Tony Graf Background and Education
- Full name: Tony F. Graf Jr.
- Current position: Judge, Utah Fourth District Court
- Appointment: May 2025, by Gov. Spencer Cox
- Judicial district: Juab, Millard, Utah and Wasatch counties
- Education: Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah and Weber State University
Graf earned an associate degree from Salt Lake Community College, a bachelor’s degree in history and a juris doctorate from the University of Utah. He later received a master’s degree in criminal justice from Weber State University.
Before joining the judiciary, Graf served as a deputy county attorney in Davis County, where he prosecuted physical and sexual abuse cases. He also led the Special Victims Unit in the Utah County Attorney’s Office and worked as a deputy district attorney in Salt Lake County.
His earlier legal work included serving as an assistant attorney general in American Samoa, a deputy district attorney in Lincoln County, Nevada, and a special assistant United States attorney in Washington, D.C.
Tony Graf Legal Career and Public Service
Beyond courtroom practice, Graf has participated in legal education and professional training. The Utah Judiciary says he has presented at legal and child advocacy conferences and served as faculty for statewide training programs.
Graf previously volunteered as a judge pro tempore for the Salt Lake City Justice Court. He also serves on the Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence.
His civic background includes service as a Tooele City planning commissioner, a member of the Tooele City Council and president of the Utah Minority Bar Association.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Graf’s academic background includes history, law and criminal justice.
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Charlie Kirk Assassination Case
Judge Graf is presiding over the Utah criminal case against Tyler Robinson, who is charged in the September 10, 2025, fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Robinson has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges, including aggravated murder.
- Preliminary hearing: Prosecutors presented evidence during a weeklong hearing in July 2026.
- September 1, 2026 ruling: Graf found sufficient evidence for the case to proceed and allowed the aggravated murder charge, which can carry the death penalty if Robinson is convicted, to remain in the case.
- Public access: Graf rejected defense requests to broadly restrict cameras, microphones and public access to proceedings, while allowing limited protections when warranted.
- October 23, 2026 hearing: Defense attorneys proposed that a trial might not be ready until 2029, while prosecutors argued for an earlier schedule. Graf did not set a trial date that day.
- Next reported hearing: Graf is expected to address scheduling issues on November 9, 2026.
The proceedings have attracted extensive national attention. Graf’s rulings have addressed evidence presentation, courtroom access, prosecutorial conflict claims and the timetable for a potential capital trial.
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Tony Graf Salary
Utah’s published fiscal year 2027 judicial compensation information lists the annual salary for a Utah district court judge as $224,750. The fiscal year runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The previously reported figure of $247,400 is not supported by the current Utah Judiciary compensation information and has been removed.
Tony Graf Political Party and Appointment
Graf was appointed to the Fourth District Court by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox in May 2025. That appointment does not establish Graf’s personal political-party affiliation.
Utah state judges serve in a nonpartisan judicial system and are not presented as party candidates in the same way as legislative or executive-office candidates. No reliable public source reviewed for this update identifies Graf as a registered Republican, Democrat or member of another political party.
Tony Graf Age, Spouse and Family
Judge Graf’s exact age and date of birth are not listed in his official Utah Judiciary biography. Publicly available official information also does not identify his spouse, children or relationship status.
Because those details have not been reliably disclosed in public records or an attributable interview, claims about Graf’s age, wife, family or marital status should be treated cautiously.
Quick Facts About Judge Tony Graf
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tony F. Graf Jr. |
| Profession | Utah Fourth District Court judge |
| Appointed | May 2025 |
| Appointed by | Gov. Spencer Cox |
| Jurisdiction | Juab, Millard, Utah and Wasatch counties |
| Education | Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah and Weber State University |
| FY2027 salary | $224,750 |
| Political affiliation | Not publicly confirmed |
| Spouse and family | Not publicly disclosed in official sources |
Frequently Asked Questions About Tony Graf
Who is Judge Tony Graf?
Tony F. Graf Jr. is a Utah Fourth District Court judge who was appointed by Gov. Spencer Cox in May 2025. He serves several Utah counties, including Utah County.
What case is Tony Graf handling?
Graf is presiding over the case against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. Robinson has pleaded not guilty.
Has Judge Tony Graf set a trial date for Tyler Robinson?
No. As of October 24, 2026, Graf had not set a trial date. After an October 23 scheduling hearing, he said he needed more time to consider the parties’ proposed timelines and planned to revisit the issue on November 9.
How much does Tony Graf earn?
Utah’s fiscal year 2027 judicial compensation information lists the annual salary for a district court judge as $224,750.
Is Tony Graf a Republican?
Graf was appointed by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, but his personal political-party affiliation has not been reliably confirmed in the public information reviewed for this article.
Is Tony Graf married?
His official court biography does not identify a spouse, children or current relationship status.
