During a court hearing Thursday, text messages allegedly from Tyler Robinson to his lover, Lance Twiggs, were read aloud, with the messages appearing to show Robinson confessing to the murder of Charlie Kirk. Erika Kirk, the widow of the Turning Point USA founder, was visibly emotional as Agent Ryan Davis from the State Bureau of Investigations presented the evidence.
Robinson, 23, faces the death penalty if convicted of murdering Kirk on September 10, 2025, on the campus of Utah Valley University. The evidence hearing has been ongoing for a week.
According to the texts presented, on the day of the murder, Robinson told Twiggs that his grandfather's hunting rifle, believed to be the murder weapon, worked "just fine." Further messages allegedly instructed Twiggs to "drop what you're doing, look under my keyboard." Prosecutors stated that a note found there read, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it."
Twiggs, in a recorded police interview played in court, stated that the note caused him to panic. His texts to Robinson reportedly showed him asking, "What? You're joking right? You weren't the one who did it right?" Robinson allegedly replied, "I am, I'm sorry."
Robinson also allegedly discussed his efforts to dispose of the rifle, with texts indicating, "If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence." He mentioned difficulties in retrieving the weapon due to lockdown procedures in the area. Twiggs reportedly asked why Robinson committed the act, and Robinson allegedly responded, "I had enough of his hatred, some hate cannot be negotiated out."
Robinson indicated he had been planning the act for "a bit over a week." He also mentioned his intention to go to work following Kirk's death to lay low and his desire to see if the road near the UVU campus was open to "drive past and check s*** out."
In the recorded testimony, Twiggs described Robinson pacing and avoiding questions upon returning home the day after Kirk's death. Twiggs claimed Robinson eventually admitted to the assassination, expressing regret and stating he intended to turn himself in. Twiggs said he and Robinson met in 2023 and began a romantic relationship. Twiggs told investigators that on the morning of the murder, Robinson claimed he had to work a long shift, and Twiggs did not hear from him again until late that night.
Authorities stated that Twiggs cooperated quickly with investigators and provided DNA, which, along with Robinson's DNA, was found on a towel wrapped around the murder weapon. Twiggs reported that he and Robinson rarely discussed politics, though Robinson occasionally ranted about Donald Trump. Twiggs denied that he and Robinson had previously discussed Charlie Kirk before the shooting.
Twiggs confirmed finding the alleged confession note, which referred to him by his chosen name, "Luna." The note, according to court filings, read in part: "I am likely dead, or facing a lengthy prison sentence. I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it. I don’t know if I will/have succeeded, but I had hoped to make it home to you. I wish we could have lived in a world where this did not feel necessary. I wish I could have stayed for you and lived our lives together."
Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika, and his parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, have attended the proceedings daily. Robinson has not yet entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on the case.