Key facts
- Prosecutors are seeking to establish probable cause for Tyler Robinson to stand trial for the murder of Charlie Kirk.
- A preliminary hearing is underway to present evidence in the case.
- Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
- Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA.
- Robinson surrendered to police and allegedly confessed in a note to his roommate.
- Prosecutors plan to present video evidence, a recorded statement from Robinson's roommate, and DNA evidence.
Prosecutors in Utah are presenting evidence in a weeklong preliminary hearing to convince a judge to try Tyler Robinson for the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Robinson, 23, faces charges including aggravated murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Kirk, 31, was an ally of President Donald Trump and co-founder of Turning Point USA.
Prosecutors allege Robinson confessed in a note to his roommate, stating he "had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it" because he "had enough of his hatred." Evidence expected to be presented includes law enforcement video, a recorded statement from Robinson's roommate, DNA evidence linking Robinson to the suspected murder weapon, autopsy findings, witness statements, and video of Kirk's killing. Former Utah Valley University Officer Christopher Bagley testified he witnessed the shooting and found a location on a nearby rooftop that appeared to be a "sniper pad."
Robinson surrendered to police the day after the shooting. His defense attorneys have sought to remove the death penalty as a possibility and objected to some evidence presented by prosecutors. Judge Tony Graf sided with the defense on altered surveillance videos. Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, attended the hearing, stating that the proceedings are a "painful reminder" of her husband's death.