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DNA Links Robinson; Lawyers Bar Death-Penalty Request

6/13/2026

40 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Tyler Robinson’s lawyers asked the court to bar the death-penalty request after prosecutors discussed bullet-fragment evidence on national media.
Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
Judge Tony Graf will rule on the contempt issue later and set a July 6 hearing to evaluate the evidence.
DNA matching Robinson was found on the rifle’s trigger, on cartridges and on a towel used to wrap the rifle.

History

Historical Context

In 1976 the U.S. Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision in Gregg v. Georgia ended the Furman moratorium, approving guided-discretion statutes that 35 states quickly adopted. The ruling led to the first post-moratorium execution of Gary Gilmore in January 1977 and set the modern framework for capital cases. Today, prosecutors in Tyler Robinson’s trial invoke Gregg as they seek the death penalty before Judge Tony Graf.

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Story summary

Tyler Robinson’s lawyers asked the court to bar the death-penalty request after prosecutors discussed bullet-fragment evidence on national media.
Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
Judge Tony Graf will rule on the contempt issue later and set a July 6 hearing to evaluate the evidence.
DNA matching Robinson was found on the rifle’s trigger, on cartridges and on a towel used to wrap the rifle.

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