Arguments concluded Friday in the preliminary hearing of the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk last fall. Tyler Robinson’s defense team attempted to cast doubt on video, ballistics, and DNA evidence. Meanwhile, prosecutors showcased multiple videos of what appeared to be Robinson on the Utah campus the day of the shooting, and digital messages in which Robinson seems to confess to the murder.
Kirk, a conservative activist and evangelical Christian who founded Turning Point USA and later TPUSA Faith, was gunned down Sept. 10 during an outdoor speaking event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was addressing a question on gun violence when he was slain.
With testimony concluded in a state district court in Provo, Utah, Judge Tony Graf will determine whether prosecutors have provided enough evidence for a criminal trial. Attorneys for both sides have asked Graf for permission to study the court transcripts of the preliminary hearing and submit written briefs before Graf makes his decision, according to reporting from the Associated Press and NewsNation.com. The judge is set to announce his decision on a trial by Sept. 1.
Robinson, 23, is alleged to have shot Kirk from a perched position atop a building with a .30-06 rifle after traveling four hours from his home in southwest Utah.
According to a recording played in court Thursday of an interview between a prosecutor and Lance Twiggs, Robinson’s former romantic partner and roommate, Twiggs told the prosecutor, “[Robinson] started crying a little bit, and said he wishes he hadn’t done it.”
The judge allowed the playing of the recording against the objections of Robinson’s attorneys, who argued the testimony could be taken as a confession that could prevent a fair jury trial.
According to reporting from the New York Times, the tone in text messages between the two men seemed to change as Robinson appears to confess to the crime.
“you werent the one who did it right????” Twiggs asks Robinson in a text.
“I am, I’m sorry,” Robinson replied.
Robinson is also alleged to have admitted to the crime to friends via the messaging app Discord, according to the Times, and earlier had allegedly expressed anger over Kirk’s Biblical views on transgenderism and sexuality.
The hearing inside a modestly sized courtroom allowed for only 14 seats for the general public and a small news media contingent. At key points when details of the shooting were discussed, Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, was seen leaving the courtroom, returning after the testimony moved on to other subjects, according to multiple reports.
Since Kirk’s assassination 10 months ago, a group of social media influencers on the far right have perpetuated conspiracy theories, led by former TPUSA associate Candace Owens, suggesting a government coverup and the involvement of Erika Kirk in her husband’s death.
Franklin Graham, in an interview with CBN News’ Billy Hallowell last spring, said those conspiracy theories aimed at Erika Kirk are evidence of the devil’s efforts to drive people into conflict.
“All this is coming from the devil. He wants us to be at each other’s throats. He wants us to not only attack one another, but he wants us to fail and he wants us to fall,” Franklin said.
“The devil is a deceiver, and he deceives Christians every day.”
Throughout the week, Erika Kirk’s movements in the courtroom were scrutinized. At various points, she was seen offering a tissue to a woman in front of her who was crying, and at another point offering a prayer over someone.
She did not speak to news media, but a statement from the Kirk family was released prior to the preliminary hearing from her X account.
“Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father,” the statement said. “Every court proceeding serves as a painful reminder of his death and the loss that has irrevocably impacted our lives and the lives of his children. We remain deeply grateful for the support, prayers, and kindness we have received. This outpouring has sustained us during the darkest days of our lives. Out of respect for the judicial process, we will not be commenting further at this time. We ask for continued privacy as we navigate this process and immense grief.”
A reply to the post from the Radiance Foundation, led by pro-life activist Ryan Bomberger, said simply: “Praying for you and for justice to prevail. May the mouths of division and delusion be silenced.”
Erika Kirk, during her husband’s televised public memorial service last September, drew broad attention for her words aimed at Robinson.
“My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life. … On the cross, our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ That young man. I forgive him.”
Over the course of his public speaking and media career, Charlie Kirk became decidedly bold in his witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his defense of Christianity as the ultimate answer to society’s woes.
As part of that, he founded TPUSA Faith to focus more on Gospel-oriented projects, in addition to promoting his version of political conservatism and free markets to raise people out of poverty into opportunity.
TPUSA Faith, led now by Pastor Lucas Miles, began a 23-city Make Heaven Crowded Tour in January at church venues around the nation.
“The Make Heaven Crowded Tour is a gospel-centered gathering calling people to repentance, faith, and bold obedience to Jesus. Join us for a powerful night of worship, preaching, and ministry as we believe God will move in hearts and lives. Come expectant and bring someone who needs hope,” the group’s website says.
The Make Heaven Crowded Tour kicked off Jan. 21 at Harvest Church in Southern California, led by Pastor Greg Laurie, and will conclude Dec. 19 at AMFEST in Phoenix, the Kirks’ hometown.
