A five-day preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old charged with aggravated murder in Charlie Kirk’s killing at Utah Valley University, is set to conclude Friday as prosecutors seek to move the death penalty case toward trial.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The weeklong preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is expected to conclude Friday after days of testimony over whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
Robinson, 23, is charged with aggravated murder in Kirk’s Sept. 10 shooting on the Utah Valley University campus. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
The final day of the hearing is being carried live as the defense prepares to call one remaining witness. Robinson’s attorneys have used the hearing to challenge parts of the prosecution’s case, including ballistics testing, DNA evidence, a recorded interview with Robinson’s roommate, Lance Twiggs, and Discord chat messages attributed to Robinson.
Prosecutors ended their presentation Thursday afternoon. The defense is expected to continue Friday before State District Judge Tony Graf considers whether the evidence meets the threshold for trial.
A ruling is not expected immediately after testimony ends. Attorneys for both sides said they want to review the preliminary hearing transcript and submit written briefs before Graf issues a decision. Graf scheduled oral arguments on the evidence for Sept. 1.
During Thursday’s testimony, one of Robinson’s attorneys, Michael Burt, questioned the reliability of ballistics evidence involving a bullet fragment recovered from Kirk’s body. Authorities attempted to connect the fragment to the suspected murder weapon, but the testing results were inconclusive.
“Saying anything but inconclusive was inappropriate,” said Samantha Karner with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Robinson’s attorneys are expected to call a second ATF witness Friday as they continue challenging the prosecution’s evidence.
Earlier in the week, the defense also questioned DNA evidence that investigators said connected Robinson to the scene. Experts say DNA testing is scientifically sound.
Public interest in the hearing has been high, but access to the courtroom has been limited. Only 14 seats are available to the public each day, with wristbands distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
People have lined up early, and some have slept outside the courthouse overnight in hopes of getting a seat. Chris Palmer, the court’s director of security, warned Thursday that tents and other camping supplies would not be allowed for those waiting for Friday’s final day. He also warned against line-jumping or saving places for others.
Court security said earlier in the week that some people had purchased colored wristbands in an apparent attempt to gain unauthorized entry.
The preliminary hearing will determine whether the murder case against Robinson advances. If Graf finds prosecutors have shown sufficient evidence, the case will proceed toward trial in the killing of Kirk.
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