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Breaking Crime News Now.

I'm Sidney.

A Utah judge has issued a major ruling in the murder trial of Tyler Robinson,

the 23-year-old accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a college campus last September.

Judge Tony Graff found prosecutor Christopher Ballard in civil contempt. The defense filed the motion

after Ballard spoke to media outlets, including TMZ, regarding an inconclusive ballistics report.

The defense noted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,

firearms, and explosives could not match the autopsy bullet to the rifle tied to Robinson.

While Ballard claimed he was clarifying that the ATF also could not exclude the rifle,

Judge Graff ruled his commentary to TMZ, declaring that prosecutors possessed ample evidence

to overcome the presumption of innocence violated a pretrial publicity order. Still, Judge Graff

dealt a blow to the defense by refusing to remove the death penalty, calling the request

grossly disproportionate to the misconduct. The judge stated potential prejudice could be

addressed during jury selection while allowing the defense to recoup legal fees related to the

contempt proceedings. Robinson, who has not yet entered a plea, faces charges of aggravated murder,

firearm use, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.

Turning now to the chilling abduction of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today Show co-host,

Savannah Guthrie. A mysterious tipster is claiming to hold critical video evidence of the kidnapping.

TMZ founder Harvey Levin revealed he has received a series of emails from an anonymous sender claiming two kidnappers were directly involved. The latest email states the individual has a

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