Utah County Commissioners select attorney to represent Charlie Kirk murder suspect

SALT LAKE CITY — The man accused of murdering political activist Charlie Kirk now has an attorney. The Utah County Commission unanimously approved a contract on Wednesday with Kathryn Nester to represent Tyler Robinson in court.

According to KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas, who helped facilitate the contract as a consultant for Utah County, Nester is a former federal public defender and now works at Nester-Lewis, Attorneys at Law. She is known here in Utah for her work on the Kouri Richins case. Two other out-of-state attorneys will be assisting her on the Robinson case.

Nester was hired because the court determined Robinson could not afford private counsel, and their public defenders are not qualified to handle death penalty cases.

Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner said that means the county is in charge of footing the bill for both the prosecution and the defense.

“Our duty is a responsibility to ensure that our laws are carried out fairly, and that includes ensuring both a well-equipped prosecution and a competent defense,” Powers Gardner explained.

Before the vote, Commission Vice Chair Skyler Beltran said it is unfortunate the county will have to fund the case.

“We’re going to approve over a million dollars today in expenses for an event that we didn’t want,” Beltran said. “None of us wanted it, and it happened to be here, and our taxpayers will now foot the bill.”

In addition to approving the contract with Nester, the commission also approved the addition of four new staffers at the county attorney’s office, including two deputy county attorneys and two paralegals. Powers Gardner said it is needed to ensure the Robinson case does not take away from the resources dedicated to other crime victims in the county.

“While this case draws headlines, we cannot allow this tragedy to cast aside others waiting for resolution,” Powers Gardner said. “Every victim of crime in Utah County, whether their story makes the news or not, deserves dignity, attention and timely justice.”

Skordas said the exact cost of the Robinson case is still unknown because it will depend on whether it goes to trial and how long it lasts. Powers Gardner estimates it could cost around $2 million over the next couple of years. That money comes from the county’s property and sales taxes. Powers Gardner said it was important for them to find the best defense counsel possible because if things are done right the first time, it will cost taxpayers less.

Related: Why the attorney for Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer may cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands