A judge said a statement about Charlie Kirk’s Christian values may be admitted for now as attorneys for Tyler Robinson continue challenging evidence in the case.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Attorneys representing Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, are seeking to prevent prosecutors from using a statement describing Kirk’s traditional Christian values as evidence in the case.
The issue arose during a preliminary hearing that continued this week, as Robinson’s defense team argued that the beliefs associated with Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded, do not establish anything about Robinson or the allegations against him, the Associated Press reported.
Defense attorney Richard Novak objected to the statement, which came from Turning Point USA board member David Engelhardt. Novak argued that the values of Kirk’s organization were not relevant to whether Robinson committed the shooting.
The judge ruled that Engelhardt’s statement was relevant at this stage and would be “provisionally admitted.” The judge said a final ruling on whether it may be used would come later.
Robinson is accused of shooting Kirk while the conservative activist was speaking to students at Utah Valley University in September.
The defense is also expected Wednesday to continue questioning DNA evidence that prosecutors say connects Robinson to the suspected murder weapon. On Tuesday, a member of Robinson’s legal team questioned an FBI DNA analyst about testing methods used to link Robinson to a rifle round found wrapped in a towel at the university.
Prosecutors have argued that the defense is raising issues that should be decided later if the case proceeds to trial.
Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride said the preliminary hearing is not the proper stage to fully litigate the reliability of DNA testing.
“The court is going to determine if it meets the threshold of reliability at trial,” McBride said.
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