Utah Judge Hears Prosecution Evidence and Defense Challenge in Charlie Kirk Shooting Case

A Utah court on Thursday reviewed evidence against Tyler Robinson, who is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Charlie Kirk. Robinson turned himself in the day after the shooting and has not entered a plea. Investigators said Robinson fired once from a rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck as he took questions from a crowd of several thousand at Utah Valley University.

Kirk was declared dead after transport to a hospital. Authorities recovered a bolt-action rifle with one spent round wrapped in a towel in a nearby wooded area. Lance Twiggs, Robinson's roommate and romantic partner, told a prosecutor in an April 20 recorded interview that Robinson said the day after the shooting that he wished he had not done it.

Twiggs spoke to authorities on September 12, two days after the shooting, and received immunity for his statements. Prosecutors allege Robinson left a note stating he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and would take it, and sent a text saying he targeted Kirk because he had enough of his hatred.

State District Judge Tony Graf will decide at the end of the hearing whether prosecutors have enough evidence to proceed to trial.

Robinson's attorneys have sought unsuccessfully to remove the death penalty as an option. Jeffrey Neiman, lawyer for the Kirk family, told the judge Wednesday that transparency is needed to avoid doubt and distrust in the judicial system. Neiman filed a request for all evidence to be displayed openly and in real time.

Erika Kirk and Charlie Kirk's parents have waited 10 months for the hearing. On Thursday, Robinson appeared in court dressed in a jacket and tie with one arm shackled to his waist and appeared to be taking notes. His parents and two brothers sat in the front row of the gallery, while Kirk's parents and widow sat a few rows back.

Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, also attended. Defense lawyer Michael Burt questioned the reliability of DNA testing linking Robinson to the towel and gun. Forensics expert Lawrence Quarino stated that law enforcement agencies use extremely reliable tests and that DNA testing is the gold standard in forensic science.