Charlie Kirk’s parents and his widow, Erica Kirk, are scheduled to appear at a week-long preliminary hearing beginning July 6.
Tyler Robinson meets judge in Charlie Kirk murder case
Tyler Robinson appeared in person for the first time before a judge on charges in the shooting death of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
On July 6, prosecutors will begin compiling evidence against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
As the trial date nears, a week-long preliminary hearing will begin in which prosecutors will aim to convince a Utah judge to allow the trial to proceed. Robinson reportedly shot and killed Kirk, an influential ally of President Donald Trump and co-founder of Turning Point USA, during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10, before fleeing the chaotic scene.
Judge Tony Graff will not be deciding Robinson’s guilt or innocence, but rather whether there is probable cause for him to stand trial. Graf explained that the evidence must be evaluated “in the light most favorable to the prosecution.”
The graphic video of the shooting quickly went viral online, sparking an outpouring of grief and highlighting the country’s growing political violence. Hundreds of people lost their jobs after criticizing Kirk online, and a free speech lawsuit resulted in a settlement of at least $3.4 million.
Robinson turned himself in to local police on September 11, ending a 33-hour investigation. Robinson was charged with aggravated murder and other felonies in Kirk’s death. Utah State Attorney Jeff Gray said he would seek the death penalty, a move supported by President Trump.
Kirk’s parents and widow Erica Kirk are also scheduled to attend the hearing. Prosecutors say sensitive information, including audio recordings, may be presented and that families will be warned to leave the courtroom if they wish.
A key pretrial hearing was postponed amid a dispute between prosecutors and defense attorneys over what evidence they can present and whether cameras should be allowed in court.
What to expect at the preliminary hearing
Prosecutors had previously announced that they planned to call four witnesses at the preliminary hearing. Some of the evidence he plans to present has already come to light, including electronic messages, handwritten notes and a video of Robinson’s alleged boyfriend confessing to the crime and telling investigators he had instructed his partner not to contact police. Mr. Graf rejected a defense request to force Mr. Robinson’s partner to travel from Texas to testify in person.
Utah Deputy State Attorney Ryan McBride said in April that Robinson left a note that read, “I had an opportunity to eliminate Charlie Kirk and I took it.” McBride said Robinson also admitted to killing Kirk in messages to his partner, friends and a former law enforcement officer who turned himself in.
McBride said prosecutors will also present surveillance footage that shows Robinson arriving on campus wearing the same clothes he appeared in. The footage showed Mr Robinson leaving the venue and limping back “with a rifle in his pants” wearing “some kind of disguise” before Mr Kirk’s event, prosecutors said.
McBride said the video also showed Robinson shooting Kirk from the roof and then running into a wooded area. He said a rifle wrapped in a towel and bullets with “political messages” engraved on the brass were found.
According to charging documents, the unignited shell casing had an inscription that read, “Hey, fascist! Catch me!” “If you read this, you’re gay” and “O Bella ciao…” could be quotes from an Italian anti-fascist song. The fired cartridge had the words “No Tices Bulge OWO What’s This?” written on it. References to animated videos and internet memes related to fur culture.
McBride said Robinson’s DNA was found on a towel and rifle, and similar ammunition was found in the home.
Robinson’s defense team indicated on June 26 that they plan to call at least three expert witnesses. They disputed the ballistics evidence in the case, saying a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives summary report “demonstrates that the ATF was unable to identify the bullet recovered during autopsy of the rifle allegedly tied to Mr. Robinson.”
“Although the State has not indicated any intention to introduce this report at preliminary hearing, it is entirely possible that the defense may decide to introduce the ATF firearms analyst’s testimony as exculpatory evidence,” the court filing states.
Graf said the defense’s characterization in the report, while “technically accurate, is highly likely to be misleading” given that it did not say that the bullet could not be conclusively ruled out.
Contributor: Reuters; Chris Kenning, Nick Penzenstadler, Christopher Kang, USA TODAY
