A Utah judge ruled that alleged Charlie Kirk killer Tyler Robinson will face trial and prosecutors could potentially seek the death penalty in the high-profile case. 

Robinson, 23, is accused of firing a single shot into Kirk's neck, killing the 31-year-old father-of-two during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University nearly a year ago.

He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday after a judge decided Utah County prosecutors had presented enough evidence to support an aggravated murder charge and send him to trial. 

'Viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, this evidence is sufficient at this stage to support a reasonable belief that the defendant is the individual who shot and killed Charlie Kirk,' Judge Tony Graf ruled from the bench.

'Accordingly, the state has demonstrated probable cause as to identity and homicide elements of count one.' 

The judge also found that the state established probable cause for the victim-targeting allegation, enabling prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Robinson.

But Graf emphasized that whether prosecutors can ultimately prove the aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt 'remains for trial.' 

Kirk's parents, Robert and Kathryn, arrived at the courthouse arm-in-arm, their faces grim. 

'Today's decision, which comes nearly a year since Charlie was taken from us, marks an important step in our family's pursuit of justice for him,' the Kirk family said in a statement.

'Every step in this process carries the weight of all that Charlie's murder has taken from his family, especially his children who will grow up without their father. We are grateful to all who have continued to pray for us, support us, and stand with us through a year of unimaginable grief.'

Inside, his widow, Erika Kirk, sat beside them, briefly burying her face in her hands as the judge considered whether still frames from the shooting would be shown. 

The key question in charging Robinson with aggravated murder was whether he endangered others when he allegedly opened fire on Kirk in a crowded area.

Prosecutors argued Robinson knowingly put more than 3,000 people in danger by allegedly firing into the crowd, creating the 'great risk of death' they say is required to keep execution in play.

His lawyers countered that the state had failed to meet the legal threshold, arguing he had a specific target and a plan to hit him - not put the crowd in the crosshairs.