Utah court hears arguments over evidence in Charlie Kirk shooting case
14 reported3 unconfirmed
Prosecutors in Utah played a video clip in court Wednesday showing defendant Tyler Robinson after he turned himself in for the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The video, played during a preliminary hearing before state District Judge Tony Graf, showed Robinson standing in a room at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office wearing a T-shirt and baseball cap with no audio. Much of Wednesday’s proceedings were consumed by arguments over whether prosecutors can play a recorded law enforcement interview with Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs. Judge Graf indicated he would allow prosecutors to play redacted audio of those statements Thursday, and will decide after the hearing if there is enough evidence to bring Robinson to trial on an aggravated murder charge. Robinson has not entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence but have sought unsuccessfully to remove the death penalty as a possible sentence. The defense also questioned the reliability of DNA testing linking Robinson to a towel wrapped around a rifle found near the shooting scene.
What’s reported
Prosecutors played a video clip of Tyler Robinson after he turned himself in for the killing of Charlie Kirk.
The video showed Robinson in a room at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with no audio; an investigator said he spoke to Robinson that night to get his name and date of birth.
Judge Tony Graf is presiding over a weeklong preliminary hearing and will decide if prosecutors have enough evidence for trial on an aggravated murder charge.
Robinson has not entered a plea; his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence but have unsuccessfully sought to remove the death penalty.
Prosecutors allege Robinson sent a text to Twiggs saying he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred.”
Twiggs was interviewed twice and given immunity for his statements, meaning they cannot be used against him in a potential criminal case.
Defense lawyers questioned the reliability of DNA testing linking Robinson to a towel wrapped around a rifle found near the campus where Kirk was shot.
FBI analyst Amanda Bakker said after Twiggs provided a DNA sample, she was able to rerun tests and attribute all DNA to two people.
DNA on the towel matched to two people: Twiggs and very likely Robinson, according to State Bureau of Investigation Agent Jennifer Faumuina.
Prosecutors allege Robinson confessed in a note left for Twiggs that read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
Investigators say Robinson shot Kirk once through the neck from a rooftop as Kirk spoke to a crowd of several thousand people; Kirk was declared dead at a hospital.
Prosecutors contend the shooting endangered others, an aggravating circumstance that could make the crime punishable by death under Utah law.
Robinson also faces possible sentence enhancements based on the claim he targeted Kirk because of his political views.
Defense attorney Richard Novak sought to block prosecutors from introducing a statement describing the traditional Christian values of Turning Point USA.
Open questions
Whether the judge will allow the recorded interview with Twiggs to be played in court after arguments.
Whether prosecutors have enough evidence to bring Robinson to trial on the aggravated murder charge.
The outcome of the defense’s challenge to the DNA evidence linking Robinson to the towel and rifle.
Key figures
Tyler Robinson: defendant in the killing of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk: conservative activist who was shot and killed
Judge Tony Graf: state district judge presiding over the preliminary hearing
Lance Twiggs: Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, interviewed with immunity
Jeffrey Neiman: attorney for Kirk’s family
Brian Davis: State Bureau of Investigation Agent who testified about Twiggs’ interviews
Michael Burt: defense lawyer who questioned DNA analyst’s conclusions
Lawrence Quarino: forensics expert who said DNA testing is “extremely reliable”
Amanda Bakker: FBI analyst who conducted DNA testing
Jennifer Faumuina: State Bureau of Investigation Agent who testified about DNA matches
Richard Novak: defense attorney who sought to block a statement about Turning Point USA
Sources: abcnews.com
