Utah County is dealing with a significant financial burden as it prepares for a potential death penalty case against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. The county’s commissioners have already spent over $250,000 on the case and anticipate costs to double, potentially reaching $5 million. Amelia Powers Gardner, one of three elected county commissioners overseeing policy, operations, and finances, said the county has already spent “just over a quarter of a million dollars” and expects the cost to double by year’s end, reaching around $5 million over the next 18 months. She emphasized that the Constitution guarantees the right to a competent defense, underscoring the importance of fair and equal justice. Despite public frustration over taxpayers funding the case, she maintained that the financial wisdom of ensuring a fair trial outweighs the costs, even in a death-penalty case. The case has attracted national media attention and has led to a lack of willing defense attorneys, as many local attorneys declined the county’s standard contract due to the emotionally and politically charged nature of the case. The county attempted to join Utah’s Aggravated Murder Defense Fund in 2024, but was denied, leaving only $31 in the reserve for such cases. The county is also facing new operational and security challenges, including the use of armored vehicles for transporting Robinson, clearing buildings around the courthouse, and implementing active-shooter training. Powers Gardner noted that the county has already used $250,000 in the past six weeks and expects costs to continue rising. She also credited Gov. Spencer Cox for being “incredibly supportive” and personally engaged in the days following the shooting. The prosecution is preparing for a potential death penalty case against Robinson, who faces the top charge of aggravated murder. Prosecutors allege that Robinson used his grandfather’s Mauser .30-06 rifle to climb onto a campus rooftop and shoot Kirk once in the neck during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10. The case highlights the complex interplay between justice, public safety, and financial responsibility, as Utah County navigates the consequences of a high-profile murder and the legal obligations inherent in such cases.