US professor sacked for celebrating Charlie Kirk's murder wins massive $1.9M settlement

An American professor who was sacked for celebrating the murder of Charlie Kirk has won a $1.9million (£1.43million) settlement.

On Monday, the University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees gave the green light to settle a lawsuit made by ex-professor Tamar Shirinian, who accused the university of violating her constitutional rights.

Mr Kirk was assassinated on September 10 at Utah Valley University during a debate with a student on his "America Comeback Tour".

Ms Shirinian took to social media shortly after Mr Kirk was shot dead, appearing to celebrate his murder.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

She wrote: "The world is better off without him in it.

"His kids are better off living in a world without a disgusting psychopath like him and his wife, well, she’s a sick f*** for marrying him so I dont [sic] care about her feelings."

Following intense public backlash, the University of Tennessee placed the professor on administrative leave over the remarks.

Ms Shirinian later apologised, acknowledging the comments were "insensitive" and claimed they were "uncharacteristic of me as a person".

She was officially sacked from the university on February 11, and will not be reinstated to her post despite the settlement.

In a letter penned to the professor following the termination of her employment, University of Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman wrote: "Your words celebrated a gruesome murder, which horrifically took place on a college campus similar to our own, and then went on to callously demean the grief and loss felt by the widow and young children of the victim while also mocking any grief felt by others who sympathized with the surviving family."

After the bumper payout was approved, Ms Shirinian's lawyer told Knox News that his client was "pleased that the parties reached a resolution".

He said: "We believe the resolution reflects the seriousness of the issues while allowing everyone to move forward.

US NEWS - READ THE LATEST:

• Donald Trump's attempt to deny birthright citizenship for children of migrants struck down
• US Senator rushed to hospital after multi-vehicle pile-up following medical emergency
• Andy Burnham 'set for first public spat with Donald Trump' over Britain's faltering defence spending

"We wish the university nothing but success in the future."

A University of Tennessee spokesman told Fox News: "We do not have a comment outside of what was publicly said in the board meeting yesterday."

Mr Kirk's alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, will appear at a hearing in Utah next week over the murder case.

The conservative influencer's parents and widow Erika Kirk will be in attendance, marking the first time the family have been in the courtroom with the suspected gunman.

At next week’s hearing, the state of Utah must prove probable cause, “evidence sufficient to support a reasonable belief that an offence has been committed and that the defendant committed it” for the case to go to trial, the Utah County Attorney’s office said.

Prosecutors have confirmed they will seek the death penalty for Mr Robinson if he is convicted of Mr Kirk's murder.

Donald Trump paid tribute to Mr Kirk and his widow at the State of the Union Address in February, crediting him for the revival of faith in the US.

“I’m very proud to say that during my time in office, both the first four years, and in particular this last year, there has been a tremendous renewal in religion, faith, Christianity and belief in God,” he said.

“This is especially true among young people, and a big part of that had to do with my great friend Charlie Kirk, great guy.”

The President hailed the conservative influencer as a "martyr" for his Christian faith.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter