Lawyers for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk are presenting arguments to challenge the prosecution's case during a week-long preliminary hearing. The defense is seeking to raise doubts about the reliability of ballistics and DNA evidence used to link Tyler Robinson to the Sept. 10 shooting at Utah Valley University. Kirk, 31, was killed while speaking to a large crowd. Robinson, who has not entered a plea, surrendered to authorities the day after the shooting.
During the hearing, one of Robinson's attorneys, Michael Burt, questioned the ballistics tests conducted on a bullet fragment recovered from Kirk's body. The fragment was intended to be linked to the suspected murder weapon, but Samantha Karner with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives testified that the results were inconclusive. Burt also previously challenged the reliability of DNA evidence presented by investigators.
Prosecutors have presented recorded statements from Robinson's roommate, Lance Twiggs, and chat room messages as evidence. In a recording played in court, Twiggs stated that the day after the shooting, Robinson allegedly said he wished he hadn't done it. Additionally, investigators presented messages from a social media platform showing Robinson posting "it was me at UVU yesterday" about an hour before he turned himself in.
Defense attorneys argued against the public release of these statements, contending they could be mischaracterized as confessions and prejudice Robinson's right to a fair trial. Prosecutors are seeking to have the crime classified as aggravated murder, citing that the shooting endangered others at the campus event. They also allege that Robinson targeted Kirk due to his political views, which could lead to sentence enhancements under Utah law.
Twiggs testified that Robinson sometimes discussed politics, including support for Donald Trump, but he had not heard Robinson speak about Kirk before the incident. He also stated Robinson did not frequently discuss gender issues or LGBTQ rights. A decision from state District Judge Tony Graf on whether to proceed to trial will be made after oral arguments scheduled for September 1.