Lawyers representing Tyler Robinson, the man charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, say they may need until 2029 to prepare for trial. The defense is asking for an extended timeline, arguing that the case requires extensive preparation.

Attorneys representing Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, sharply criticized the proposed schedule on Thursday, calling it “absurd” and accusing Robinson of attempting to delay the proceedings.

Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf has scheduled a hearing for Friday afternoon to determine when the trial should begin.

Robinson has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder in connection with Kirk’s killing last year. Kirk, an ally of President Donald Trump, was addressing a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University when he was fatally shot. Robinson, who was 23 at the time, surrendered to authorities the following day. His defense team has not presented an alternative explanation for Kirk’s death. If found guilty, Robinson could face capital punishment.

Prosecutors in Utah County told the court they expect the trial to last approximately 17 weeks and anticipate being prepared by October 2027. To avoid holding proceedings over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, however, they recommended starting the trial on January 31, 2028.

Jeffrey Neiman, an attorney for Erika Kirk, argued that the proceedings should begin as early as October 2027, the earliest date prosecutors have proposed.

“Under the Defendants’ proposed schedule, Mr. Kirk’s two children, who were one and three at the time he was murdered, will be six and eight years old by the time the trial concludes,” Neiman wrote. “They will face the uncertainty of this criminal proceeding longer than they had their father in their lives.”

Robinson’s attorneys countered in court documents filed this week that prosecutors have provided tens of thousands of files that must be reviewed before the defense can adequately prepare.

The lawyers also said they need to investigate Robinson’s background extensively to identify potential mitigating circumstances that could affect sentencing if he is convicted. They cited jury selection and other complex legal matters as issues requiring “substantial time.”

The defense team said it appreciated the judge’s effort to establish a “realistic trial date.” However, the attorneys argued that determining a reliable timeline for a complicated capital murder case remains difficult. Predicting when the case will be ready for trial, they wrote in a filing Wednesday, “is an exercise that, at this time, will necessarily be infected with false precision.”