Defense in Charlie Kirk's killing argue against death penalty, said shooter hit 'intended target'

Lawyers representing the man accused of killing political commentator Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University last year have argued against the death penalty, asserting that the shooter hit his intended target without endangering anyone else.

The central legal dispute involves whether the shooting put the thousands of attendees at risk. Under state law, prosecutors have cited the potential danger to the broader crowd as a key aggravating factor to pursue a capital crime against the accused.

In Tuesday court filings, the defense countered that the lack of collateral danger makes the death penalty inapplicable to the defendant.