5 things to know as preliminary hearings wrap up in Charlie Kirk shooting case

A preliminary hearing for the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk unfolded in Utah this week, offering the first comprehensive look at the evidence prosecutors say ties Tyler Robinson to the shooting at Utah Valley University last fall.

Judge Tony Graf is weighing whether there is enough evidence to send Robinson to trial, as the accused killer’s defense team works to cast doubt on the case.

The 23-year-old is facing seven charges, including aggravated murder and weapons charges, in connection with the Sept. 10 shooting of Kirk during a Turning Point USA event on the university’s Orem, Utah campus that sent shockwaves through the political world.

Prosecutors have said they believe that Robinson targeted Kirk based on his political beliefs and are seeking the death penalty. He has not entered a plea.

Here’s what to know about the five-day hearings:  

Roommate details suspect’s alleged confession in video

One of the most closely watched moments came on Thursday when prosecutors played a recorded law enforcement interview with Lance Twiggs, Robinson’s former roommate and romantic partner, the day after the deadly shooting.

Twiggs said in the video that Robinson was “crying a little bit” and told him that “he wishes he hadn’t done it” during a conversation at the pair’s apartment in southern Utah.

Robinson’s defense team objected to portions of the recording being played openly, raising concerns that prosecutors’ attempt to portray the statement as a confession from Robinson could prejudice potential jurors and undermine his right to a fair trial.  

“We are very concerned that the publication of what the state will call confessions at trial violates Mr. Robinson’s due process rights,” defense lawyer Richard Novak told the judge.

Graf ultimately ordered that some parts of the video clip be redacted before it was shown in court, to the dismay of Kirk’s family who wanted the statement played in full.  

“The Kirk family believes strongly that if the evidence is being admitted at this preliminary hearing, it should be made public for the world to see,” Erika Kirk’s attorney Jeffrey Neiman said.

Other videos shown in court depicted the moments after Robinson, clad in a t-shirt and baseball cap turned himself in to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 11, 2025 and surveillance video from campus in the hours before and after the shooting.

Utah State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) Agent David Hull testified that a car belonging to Robinson arrived at UVU around 8:30 a.m. local time and he stayed on campus for about an hour, at one point making contact with TPUSA members. He........

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