The Utah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, remains in a “special housing unit” at the jail, even after completing a mental health evaluation.
Ray Ormond, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Sgt., said on Tuesday that Robinson has been evaluated by the jail’s mental health and medical staff but will continue to be held in the special housing unit.
"Robinson has been seen by our medical and mental health staff. Due to patient privacy regulations, I'm not able to [go] further into that," Ormond was quoted as saying by Fox News. "Robinson will stay in our special housing unit for the time being."
When asked whether Robinson will remain in the special housing unit indefinitely, Ormond stated, "that's not set in stone and his housing location may change down the road."
The department explained that "special watch" status can be applied for several reasons, including violent behavior, the nature of the crime, suicidal statements, and other behavioral concerns.
Robinson, who was apprehended after a 33-hour manhunt, was initially held in the special housing unit “so that authorities can keep a close eye on him” until his evaluation was over.
The department previously stated that it had no knowledge of Robinson making any suicidal remarks.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani said that the mental health evaluation likely indicates Robinson should remain in a "special housing unit" rather than the general population.
"A full mental health evaluation will be conducted by his defense team to try to negotiate a plea deal to save his life, to put on an insanity or diminished capacity defense during the guilt phase, which is challenging under Utah law, or to put on evidence of mitigation during the death penalty phase," Rahmani was quoted as saying by Fox News.
Robinson allegedly shot and killed Charlie Kirk, 31, during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on September 10. The suspect was identified and arrested after his father recognized him in FBI surveillance footage.
According to a law enforcement source, Robinson returned home expressing suicidal intentions, and his father, after consulting a minister, handed him over to authorities.
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