Robinson's plea on Tuesday and the ruling by Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf came after prosecutors laid out what they called overwhelming evidence that a capital trial was warranted for the murder of one of the US political right's most prominent figures.
Defence lawyers had argued the shooting did not meet the standard for a death penalty charge.
Utah County lawyers accused the former apprentice electrician of firing the single shot that killed Kirk, 31, as he held one of his trademark campus debates that helped propel him to national prominence.
Graf ruled that Robinson, 23, should face trial on all seven charges against him, among them aggravated murder for endangering the lives of others at the event. That count carries the death penalty in Utah.
Kirk's killing, captured in smartphone video that spread widely on social media, is among a series of attacks on US political figures in recent years that have fuelled debate over political violence in a deeply polarised country.
Utah County prosecutor Ryan McBride presented video of what he said was Robinson taking up a sniper position at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10, 2025, before he shot Kirk.
He displayed pictures he said showed Robinson created a "great risk of death" to others, with Kirk's security detail close to Kirk when he was shot.
McBride said the four rounds in Robinson's rifle demonstrated he was prepared to fire more rounds if the first missed, further endangering others.
"He lay down in a prone position, and he would have seen this mass of people, of 3000-plus people there for the event, took aim, put his crosshairs on Charlie Kirk and fired," McBride told the court.
Defence lawyer Staci Visser said the shooting endangered no one but Kirk, arguing the crime didn't meet the standard of aggravated murder.
Visser said the assailant didn't engage with anyone else or reload the weapon.
"There is one act. There is one shot. There is one bullet. There is one victim," Visser told the court.
"There was no evidence that would suggest that anyone else was threatened."
The prosecutor cited test results showing Robinson's DNA was on the alleged murder weapon.
McBride alleged that Robinson, who was in a relationship with his then-boyfriend Lance Twiggs, targeted Kirk for his political views against gay marriage and transgender rights. That argument could bolster the prosecution as it pursues the death penalty.
He cited a text message from Robinson in which he allegedly told Twiggs he shot Kirk because "some hate can't be negotiated out".
Defence lawyer Richard Novak said it was unclear what Robinson referred to by "hate" and the wording did not imply he opposed Kirk's political views.
Among those in the packed courtroom were Kirk's parents, Robert and Kathryn, and his wife, Erika, who has taken leadership of the late activist's conservative youth organization.
Kirk's family called the ruling "an important step in our family's pursuit of justice".
"Every step in this process carries the weight of all that Charlie's murder has taken from his family, especially his children who will grow up without their father," the statement said.
"We are grateful to all who have continued to pray for us, support us, and stand with us through a year of unimaginable grief."
A co-founder of conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA, Kirk was credited with energising young voters behind President Donald Trump's 2024 re-election campaign.
with AP
