Utah prosecutors are presenting additional law enforcement video, witness evidence and a recorded statement from Tyler Robinson’s roommate as they seek to move the Charlie Kirk murder case toward trial.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Prosecutors in Utah are continuing their effort Tuesday to persuade a judge that Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, should stand trial for aggravated murder.
The weeklong preliminary hearing began Monday and represents the most detailed public presentation of evidence so far in the case. Robinson is accused of killing Kirk, a conservative activist and ally of President Donald Trump, while Kirk was speaking to thousands of people at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
The proceedings resumed Tuesday with prosecutors expected to introduce additional law enforcement video and a recorded statement from Robinson’s roommate, who prosecutors have said was also his romantic partner.
Prosecutors submitted an exhibit list earlier this year that included video from the Washington County sheriff’s office from Sept. 11, the day Robinson turned himself in, along with recorded testimony from the roommate.
A livestream of the court proceeding was also made available online.
Robinson has not entered a plea. His attorneys have not publicly commented on whether he is guilty or innocent, but they have tried unsuccessfully so far to remove the death penalty as a possible punishment.
Prosecutors have alleged that Robinson left a note for his roommate confessing to the killing. According to prosecutors, the note said, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
They have also said Robinson sent text messages to the roommate saying he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred.”
The prosecution is expected to present DNA evidence allegedly connecting Robinson to the suspected murder weapon, autopsy findings, witness statements and video of the shooting. Prosecutors are also expected to argue that the attack endangered others at Kirk’s campus event, an aggravating factor that could make the case eligible for the death penalty under Utah law.
Monday’s hearing included testimony from former Utah Valley University Officer Christopher Bagley, who said he witnessed the shooting while Kirk was addressing the crowd. Bagley testified that he later went to a nearby gravel rooftop, where it appeared someone had been lying prone with a clear view of Kirk’s location.
“It looks like a sniper pad,” Bagley told the court.
Prosecutors also showed several graphic videos from the shooting, including footage of the moment Kirk was struck and security personnel attempting to provide first aid.
Kirk’s parents, Kathryn and Robert, and his widow, Erika, were in the courtroom Monday for the first time since the case began. Robinson’s parents were also present and sat a few rows behind the Kirk family.
The Kirk family briefly left the courtroom twice during Monday’s proceedings. They walked out when Bagley began testifying about Kirk’s arrival on campus and again when prosecutors introduced the videos. They returned both times.
Robinson sat quietly between his attorneys during the hearing, watching prosecution exhibits on a monitor and occasionally taking notes. His wrists were shackled to a chain around his waist.
Defense attorney Kathryn Nester objected repeatedly to evidence introduced by prosecutors. Most of her objections were overruled by state District Judge Tony Graf.
Nester questioned Bagley about an empty pistol holster found on the ground after the crowd fled. Bagley acknowledged that he did not take custody of the holster and did not know whether it had been fingerprinted.
Utah allows open carry, meaning people may openly carry firearms or carry them concealed without a permit.
Graf did side with the defense on one evidentiary issue, blocking prosecutors from introducing a compilation of surveillance videos from Utah Valley University because some clips had been altered with zoom effects or circles drawn around people. Prosecutors said they would try again Tuesday to submit the footage after removing the alterations.
The preliminary hearing functions similarly to a limited trial, but the burden on prosecutors is lower. They do not need to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at this stage. Instead, they must show reasonable grounds to believe Robinson killed Kirk and should be tried.
Mark Kouris, a former prosecutor and state judge in Salt Lake City, said prosecutors are likely to meet that threshold.
“This standard is extremely low and the chances of them not getting through it are, quite frankly, almost nothing,” said Kouris, now an adjunct professor at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law.
Before his death, Kirk and Turning Point USA, the organization he co-founded, were credited with helping energize young conservative voters in support of Trump’s second presidential campaign.
Trump has said he hopes Robinson receives the death penalty.
Erika Kirk said at her husband’s memorial service that she forgives Robinson. Before Monday’s hearing, she thanked supporters for their prayers and kindness.
“Every court proceeding serves as a painful reminder of his death,” she wrote, “and the loss that has irrevocably impacted our lives and the lives of his children.”
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