Utah prosecutors begin evidence hearing in Charlie Kirk killing case
A judge will decide whether prosecutors have enough evidence to put Tyler Robinson on trial over Charlie Kirk’s killing.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Utah prosecutors began laying out their case against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, AP and Reuters reported. The preliminary hearing will determine whether a state judge finds enough evidence for Robinson to face trial over Kirk’s death last September.
The hearing opened Monday and is scheduled to run for five days, according to AP and Reuters. Although it is an early stage of the criminal case, the courtroom included Robinson, Kirk’s wife Erica Kirk, Kirk’s parents, Donald Trump Jr. and far-right activist Jack Posobiec, the agencies reported.
Robinson has not entered a plea, and his lawyers have not publicly addressed whether he is guilty or innocent, according to AP and Reuters. The defense has tried to block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty, but those efforts have not succeeded so far, the agencies reported.
President Donald Trump has said Robinson should face the death penalty, according to AP and Reuters. The agencies reported that prosecutors must persuade the judge there is a sufficient basis to believe Robinson killed Kirk before the case can move to a full trial; to win a conviction later, they would have to prove guilt to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt.
During the first day of the hearing, Robinson sat between his attorneys and sometimes wrote notes, AP and Reuters reported. His wrists were secured to a chain around his waist, according to the agencies.
Prosecutors called Utah Valley University police officer Chris Bagley as their first witness, AP and Reuters reported. Bagley testified that Kirk was addressing a large campus crowd when he was shot, according to the agencies.
Bagley also described going to the roof of a nearby building after the shooting, AP and Reuters reported. He said he saw marks in gravel that appeared to form a position for a sniper, according to the agencies.
Defense attorney Kathryn Nester questioned Bagley about an empty pistol holster found on the ground after the crowd ran, AP and Reuters reported. Bagley said he did not take possession of the holster and did not know whether it had been tested for fingerprints, according to the agencies.
Prosecutors were expected to present evidence they have described as a confession note written by Robinson, as well as text messages in which he allegedly admitted to the crime, AP and Reuters reported. They were also expected to offer video testimony from Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, according to the agencies.
Robinson’s lawyers were expected to challenge the prosecution’s physical evidence, AP and Reuters reported. The agencies said the defense planned to focus on ballistics testing that did not definitively link the bullet fragment removed from Kirk’s body to the alleged murder weapon.
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization, AP and Reuters reported. The agencies said he was credited with helping bring younger voters out for Trump.
After Kirk’s killing, Trump blamed “radical left” ideology and promised action against liberal organizations and donors, according to AP and Reuters.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.