Charlie Kirk shooting suspect Tyler Robinson charged with murder; prosecutors seek death penalty

What happens now that a 22-year-old Utah man has been charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk?

A look at the possible next steps in the prosecution

An attorney conducting the search for a public defender to represent Kirk shooting suspect Tyler Robinson said that one could be lined up by tomorrow.

Several attorneys have already met Robinson, attorney Greg Skordas said.

Skordas said today that there are three or four candidates. The search is being conducted because the local public defender is not contracted to do death penalty work, he said

A Utah man who was initially questioned in the aftermath of Kirk’s shooting has been arrested on suspicion of unrelated charges, including obstruction of justice, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office said today.

George Zinn, 71, was being held on one count of second-degree obstruction of justice and four counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, sheriff’s office said. Zinn has no connection to the shooting, it said.

Police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause that after Kirk was shotm Zinn began yelling, “I shot him, now shoot me” and was arrested.

Zinn was taken to a hospital for a condition after his arrest

“During this time, George made statements to the officer that he was glad he said he shot the individual so the real suspect could get away,” police wrote in the affidavit.

The sexual exploitation charges stem from images allegedly found on Zinn’s phone when the device was searched after his arrest.

The sheriff’s office said that investigators observed “over 20 images of children ranging from 5 to 12 years old in various stages of undress and sexual posing” and a text thread in which the images were shared with others.

Zinn has not yet been formally charged but was arrested on the counts, according to court records. Online court records did not list an attorney for him this afternoon

Robinson made his first appearance via videolink in a Utah County courtroom today. He sat emotionless as Fourth District Court Judge Tony Graf Jr. read the charges against him.

Robinson spoke only when asked to state his name. He appeared to nod when Graf told him he would remain jailed without bail.

He has not yet been appointed an attorney. His next hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sept. 29

Prosecutors in a charging document say that after the shooting, Tyler Robinson’s roommate received a text message from him: “drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard.” The roommate found a note that said, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”

After reading the note, the roommate responded, “What?????????????? You’re joking, right????”

Robinson: I am still ok my love, but am stuck in orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.

Contributed by NBC NEWS