Pretrial Hearings Begin as Robinson’s Defense Prepares Last-Minute Moves

The hearing will be livestreamed, according to reports

Advertisement The preliminary hearing will focus on whether prosecutors have presented sufficient evidence to establish probable cause for the case to proceed to trial.

According to Paul Cassell, a University of Utah law professor and former federal judge, the proceedings will also address issues related to the state’s pursuit of the death penalty.

Advertisement “This seems like the proverbial slam dunk at this stage of the case, where the only issue is whether there is a sound basis for moving forward with a trial on the merits,” Cassell told the Associated Press

“This seems like the proverbial slam dunk at this stage of the case, where the only issue is whether there is a sound basis for moving forward with a trial on the merits,” Cassell told the Associated Press.

Under Utah law, prosecutors may seek the death penalty only if they can establish that a crime involved one or more statutory aggravating circumstances.