Court filing raises questions over forensic match as attorneys seek delay and cite extensive evidence review.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A new court filing submitted by attorneys representing Tyler Robinson states that federal investigators have not been able to match the bullet recovered from the body of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk to the rifle prosecutors allege was used in the fatal shooting.
According to details outlined in a Daily Mail report, the defense claims the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was “unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr Robinson.” The filing was submitted as part of a request to postpone the preliminary hearing in the case.
Robinson, 22, faces capital murder charges in connection with the September 10 shooting at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors allege that Kirk was killed by a single rifle shot that caused catastrophic injuries, including damage to a major artery in his neck.
Defense attorneys argued in the filing that the lack of a confirmed ballistic match introduces uncertainty into the prosecution’s case. While acknowledging that deformation of the bullet could affect identification, the filing asserts that the absence of a definitive link may be used as part of the defense’s case, including potential testimony from a firearms analyst.
The motion also cites the volume and complexity of evidence disclosed by prosecutors. According to reporting from Fox News, defense attorneys stated they have received more than 600,000 files related to the case and that analysis remains ongoing. “Discovery in this case is incomplete, voluminous, and the processing of it is complex,” the defense wrote in its filing.
The defense is seeking a delay of at least six months for the preliminary hearing, currently scheduled for May 18, to allow time for expert review. A forensic biologist retained by the defense indicated that a full examination of the available evidence would require that timeframe.
The filing also notes that DNA testing conducted by federal agencies identified multiple genetic profiles on certain pieces of evidence. Defense attorneys said additional time is needed to analyze those findings.
Prosecutors, according to the filing, intend to call several witnesses during the preliminary hearing, including Robinson’s parents and his roommate, Lance Twiggs.
Earlier in the case, investigators cited a series of messages allegedly exchanged between Robinson and Twiggs following the shooting. In those messages, Robinson reportedly stated, “I am, I’m sorry,” when asked if he had carried out the act, according to materials referenced in reporting by the BBC. The exchange also included statements in which Robinson allegedly discussed retrieving a rifle and expressed concern about evidence.
Additional messages referenced in reporting, including those shared via social media, describe communications in which Robinson allegedly discussed planning the incident and attempting to avoid detection after the shooting.
The defense filing does not address the authenticity of those messages directly but focuses on the forensic evidence and the need for additional time to evaluate the case.
The court has not yet ruled on the request to delay proceedings.
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