PROVO, Utah — A Utah court has finalized the legal team behind suspected Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson, adding two seasoned California defense attorneys to back his Utah lawyer, Kathy Nester.
They are Michael Burt, of San Francisco, and Richard Novak, of Pasadena, who were both granted permission by the court to appear on Robinson’s behalf at his latest hearing Monday.
“In a case like this, many lawyers will shy away from the defense due to the notoriety,” said Mark Geragos, one of the country’s leading defense attorneys. “That is actually the exact wrong instinct and contrary to your duty as a lawyer, which is to zealously defend and not be dissuaded by those things.”
One of those attorneys, Burt, has almost five decades of experience as a criminal defense lawyer.
Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect in the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, appears by camera before 4th District Court Judge Tony Graf on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, for his initial court appearance in Provo, Utah. (Scott G Winterton/Pool via Deseret News)
The state-level charges against him include aggravated murder, which carries the potential death penalty, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction and witness tampering.
He allegedly confessed or “implied” guilt to his parents, his romantic partner and friends, according to court documents. Investigators also allege they recovered his DNA from the suspected murder weapon, a Mauser .30-06 with a custom stock and modern optics — distinctive enough that his father allegedly asked him for the rifle’s whereabouts after police had it in their possession.
Charlie Kirk speaks before he is assassinated during Turning Point’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP)
Authorities have said they believe he acted alone and only discussed the plot with other people after allegedly carrying it out.
