Prosecutors to detail case against alleged Charlie Kirk assassin

Skip to content

Prosecutors in Utah this week will reveal some evidence against Tyler Robinson, the man they accuse of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk last September.

Robinson will appear in court for a five-day preliminary hearing, during which prosecutors will attempt to convince state District Judge Tony Graf they have enough evidence to try the 23-year-old and seek the death penalty.

The suspect is facing a slew of charges, including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and obstruction of justice.

Prosecutors have said they plan to present DNA evidence linking Robinson to the suspected weapon, testimony from investigators, findings from Kirk’s autopsy, witness statements and video of the conservative activist being shot at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Prosecutors will also show a videotaped statement by Robinson’s former roommate and possible lover, during which the individual will discuss messages the two exchanged after the shooting of Kirk, according to CNN.

While prosecutors must demonstrate there are reasonable grounds to believe Robinson killed Kirk, they do not have to prove the former’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” the benchmark for a jury to convict a suspect of a crime.

Robinson has yet to enter a plea, while his attorneys have unsuccessfully tried to take the death penalty off the table. The suspect’s defense team plans to call three forensic experts to testify this week, CNN reported Monday.

Less than 48 hours after the Sept. 10 killing of Kirk, Robinson turned himself in with assistance from his parents and a family friend who was a retired detective and sheriff’s deputy.

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was a close ally of President Trump and played a major role in the president’s ground game operation during the 2024 campaign. Trump in October posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s top civilian honor.

Kirk’s parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, and his widow, Erika Kirk, will appear in court this week for the first time, a source familiar told CNN.

On Monday morning, Kirk’s parents, widow and sister, Mary, released a statement saying they “will not be commenting further at this time” as the judicial process plays out.

“Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father,” the Kirk family 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.”

Tags

Charlie Kirk

Donald Trump

Erika Kirk

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.