Accra: Following the fatal shooting of right-wing US activist Charlie Kirk, the suspect has been charged with aggravated murder. The death penalty is being sought for 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, public prosecutor Jeff Gray said in the US state of Utah on Tuesday. Gray read out a total of seven charges, including obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
According to Ghana News Agency, Gray considered it aggravating that Robinson targeted the activist because of his political statements, and allegedly committed the offence in the knowledge that children were present and may have had to witness it. Gray also referred to evidence that incriminated Robinson, including DNA traces on the alleged murder weapon and analyses from surveillance videos.
The state of Utah provides for the possibility of the death penalty for capital offences. US President Donald Trump had already spoken out in favour of the death penalty in the case. The Republican governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, had also said preparations were being made to apply for the death penalty.
Robinson allegedly shot Kirk last Wednesday on a university campus in Utah. The activist later died in hospital. Kirk's death has had an enormous political impact in the United States. The 31-year-old was regarded as a formative voice of the US right, and was an influential representative of Trump's 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) movement, and helped Trump to get elected to a second term.
Kirk reached an audience of millions, especially young men. In 2012, he founded the youth organization Turning Point USA, which is now active at numerous high schools and universities.
