Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf has ruled that edited surveillance footage, purportedly showing Charlie Kirk murder suspect Tyler Robinson fleeing, can be presented in court. The decision came Thursday after an initial ruling on Tuesday had blocked the footage due to edits including zooms and circled items of interest. Prosecutors argued the edits were only to enhance viewing clarity, a point the judge ultimately accepted.
This development follows the presentation of evidence detailing at least five alleged confessions made by Robinson to assassinating Kirk. Among these was testimony from Robinson's former roommate and lover, Lance Twiggs, who stated Robinson admitted he "wished he hadn't done it" and left a handwritten note stating, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it."
Prosecutors also presented text messages allegedly sent by Robinson on the day of the shooting, in which he admitted to the crime and discussed plans to retrieve a rifle from a "drop point" to avoid leaving evidence. Twiggs expressed disbelief in the texts, to which Robinson allegedly replied, "I am, I'm sorry." Robinson reportedly stated that he had been planning the shooting for "a bit over a week."
Further alleged confessions were made to Robinson's parents and on the gaming platform Discord, where authorities say Robinson wrote, "It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this. I'm surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments."
Investigators found a rifle wrapped in a towel in a wooded area near the shooting scene, which prosecutors say contained DNA from both Robinson and Twiggs. Twiggs, who was granted limited immunity, provided a police interview that was played in court. He described their relationship and stated Robinson left early on the morning Kirk was assassinated.
Twiggs recalled Robinson returning the next morning, appearing agitated, and eventually confessing to the assassination. Twiggs stated Robinson mentioned rants about Donald Trump and Republicans but claimed they never discussed Charlie Kirk prior to the shooting. Bullet casings found near the scene were reportedly engraved with political messages, including one referencing a transgender furry meme and another stating, "If you are reading this, you are gay."
Robinson faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted. The pre-trial hearings are intended to determine if there is sufficient probable cause to proceed to a full trial.