Preliminary Hearing in Utah Murder Case Continues; Judge Bars Some Altered Videos

Prosecutors are expected to present more law enforcement video and a recorded statement from the defendant’s roommate as a preliminary hearing continues Tuesday in Provo, Utah. The weeklong hearing began Monday and has so far produced no major revelations but marked the most significant presentation of evidence to date in the case against Tyler Robinson, 23, who is charged with aggravated murder in the killing of Charlie Kirk.

Former Utah Valley University Officer Christopher Bagley testified Monday that he witnessed the shooting while Kirk was speaking to a campus crowd of thousands on Sept.

10. Bagley said he went to a nearby gravel rooftop after the shooting, where it appeared someone had been lying prone with a clear sightline to Kirk’s location. “It looks like a sniper pad,” Bagley told the court.

Robinson has not entered a plea. His attorneys have sought to remove the death penalty from consideration, so far unsuccessfully. Prosecutors plan to present a video from the Washington County sheriff’s office dated Sept.

11 showing the day Robinson turned himself in, along with recorded testimony from Robinson’s roommate. ” Prosecutors also plan to present DNA evidence linking Robinson to the suspected murder weapon, autopsy findings, witness statements and video of Kirk’s killing. They intend to argue that the shooting endangered others at the campus event, an aggravating circumstance under Utah law.

Kirk’s parents, Kathryn and Robert, and widow, Erika, attended the July 6 hearing. Robinson’s parents were present, sitting a few rows behind the Kirks. Robinson sat between his attorneys with his wrists shackled to a chain around his waist.

Prosecutors showed graphic videos of the shooting, including the moment Kirk was shot and security administering first aid. Kirk’s family walked out of the courtroom twice during the hearing but returned each time. State District Judge Tony Graf presided.