The family of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk is pressing for the full release of recorded testimony from Tyler Robinson's transgender lover, Lance Twiggs, after a judge allowed portions of the video to be redacted. The family filed a request arguing that partial redactions undermine transparency in the ongoing pre-trial evidentiary hearing.
"To receive evidence in a manner shielded from those seated in the courtroom - as happened today - is not transparency," the Kirk family stated in their filing. "And in the absence of transparency, speculation and conspiracy theories related to the tragic assassination of Mr. Kirk will continue to proliferate in the public domain, breeding doubt and distrust in the judicial system."
Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, along with his parents Robert and Kathryn, have attended every day of the week-long hearing. The family's filing emphasizes their desire to "bear witness to the evidence concerning the death of their husband and son" and states that "at a minimum, every exhibit entered into evidence during the preliminary hearing must be visible to every person lawfully present in the courtroom."
Judge Tony Graf ruled Wednesday that Twiggs' video testimony could be presented with approximately 15 minutes of redactions. Prosecutors have agreed to make these edits and plan to play the video in court on Thursday.
Robinson, 23, faces the death penalty if convicted of murdering Kirk on September 10, 2022, in front of thousands of students at Utah Valley University. His pre-trial evidentiary hearing is intended to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a full trial.
Twiggs' prerecorded testimony is considered a key piece of evidence, as prosecutors allege Robinson confessed to Twiggs shortly after the shooting. Prosecutors claim Robinson left a note for Twiggs stating, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it," and sent a text message indicating he targeted Kirk because he "had enough of his hatred."
Twiggs, who was Robinson's roommate, was interviewed by police twice and was granted immunity for his statements. Defense attorneys had opposed the release of Twiggs' footage, arguing that prosecutors might misrepresent his statements to undermine Robinson's right to a fair trial.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea. His attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence. Prosecutors have previously stated their intention to seek the death penalty, a request that a judge denied removing from consideration on June 26.