Tyler Robinson trial examines DNA and gun evidence in Charlie Kirk's murder
Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's parents will attend Robinson's trial
The parents and widow of Charlie Kirk are reportedly expected to attend a week-long trial in Utah, where prosecutors will try to show they have enough evidence to proceed with the murder case against suspected killer Tyler Robinson.
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Provo, Utah – Tyler Robinson, 23, accused of killing Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last year, will appear in court Monday for a week-long trial that will determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence to prosecute.
While in most cases, prosecutors defend the grand jury behind closed doors and without giving defense attorneys a chance to rebut the evidence, Robinson was charged with information, which means prosecutors must establish probable cause in a civil trial before the case goes to trial.
Defense attorneys will be able to question witnesses. But unlike a real trial, there is a lower burden of proof. Prosecutors must reveal the cause of the charges against Robinson. They do not have to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. That comes in court, in front of a judge.
PARENTS OF CHARLIE KIRK, WIDOW TO APPEAR AT TYLER ROBINSON'S FIRST HEARING NEXT WEEK
Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
Kirk, 31, a father of two, was speaking at a TPUSA event in front of thousands of young people when a sniper's bullet hit him in the neck and killed him. The widow and her parents are expected to attend the trial.
Prosecutors allege that investigators found Robinson's DNA on the bullet from the alleged murder weapon, his grandfather's Mauser; they found the towel folded; three of the four bullets inside – and a screwdriver were found near where the sniper's suspected sniper was on the roof.
Digital evidence against Robinson is expected to include confessions via text messages and the social media app Discord.
SUSPECTED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN WHO LIVED IN WITH CHARLIE KIRK'S LOVED ONE GETTING NO PUBLICITY: Prosecutors
Charlie Kirk was killed on September 10 during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
Police found the gun in a wooded area near the UVU campus, near the suspect's escape route. Robinson is accused of texting her boyfriend, Lance Twiggs, about wanting to pull out a gun, and law enforcement sources said it is believed that he had a face-to-face encounter with a nearby police officer.
“Holding on for a while in Orem,” Robinson allegedly wrote hours after the murder. “It shouldn't be long until I get home, but I have to hold my gun and stand still.”
Twiggs, who Robinson said left a handwritten confession, is cooperating with investigators and has not been charged.
CHARLIE KIRK'S ATTORNEYS DEPEND ON DELAYING STRATEGIES FOR MURDERER'S MURDER: FMR PROSECUTOR
Although the suspect's lover refuses to appear in court for the week-long trial, prosecutors are expected to play the video of his interview with the police.
While Robinson's defense played up the fact that the ATF couldn't completely match the bullet that killed Kirk to the Mauser, analysts couldn't rule it out either. They found it to be of equal quality and found a used matching casing.
Witnesses are expected to place Robinson at the scene of the crime – a four-hour drive from Washington, Utah.
An estimate of the alleged movements of Tyler Robinson, the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, based on court documents, video from the scene and interviews with law enforcement. (Google Maps, Fox News Digital)
In addition to the allegations of shooting Kirk, he is also accused of harassing witnesses, committing a violent crime in the presence of a child, discharging a dangerous firearm causing serious injury and obstructing the operation of the law.
Prosecutors allege that Robinson targeted Kirk because of his political views, tried to hide the gun and the clothes he was wearing when he was shot and urged Twiggs to delete the incriminating messages, destroy the note and remain silent when questioned by police.
Investigators search the scene of a shooting in Orem, Utah, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. The investigation is believed to be related to the search for evidence in the killing of Charlie Kirk during a rally at UVU. (Derek Shook of Fox News Digital)
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Robinson has not entered a plea and will not be required to do so unless prosecutors are successful in the preliminary hearings.
The highest charge against him, that of brutal murder, carries the death penalty.
