Key facts
- Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Charlie Kirk, are challenging the reliability of ballistics and DNA evidence.
- Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 killing of Kirk at Utah Valley University.
- The defense plans to call a final witness during the preliminary hearing.
- Prosecutors presented evidence including a recorded statement from Robinson's roommate and Discord messages.
- A judge will rule on whether to proceed to trial after oral arguments in September.
Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, are seeking to cast doubt on the prosecution's evidence before a trial can begin. During a preliminary hearing in Provo, Utah, defense attorneys challenged the reliability of ballistics tests on a bullet fragment recovered from Kirk's body, with one attorney stating that calling the results anything other than inconclusive was inappropriate. Earlier in the week, the defense also questioned DNA evidence presented by investigators. Kirk, 31, was killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Robinson turned himself in the day after the shooting. Prosecutors presented evidence including a recorded interview with Robinson's roommate, Lance Twiggs, who stated Robinson expressed regret, and Discord messages where Robinson allegedly posted "it was me at UVU yesterday." The defense argued these statements could be mischaracterized as a confession. State District Judge Tony Graf will hear oral arguments on September 1 before deciding whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Prosecutors contend the shooting endangered others and that Kirk was targeted due to his political views, which could lead to enhanced penalties.