Charlie Kirk's family requests evidence be shown publicly

The family of conservative activist Charlie Kirk have pleaded with a judge to allow more public access to evidence presented against the man accused of his assassination.

The conservative activist was shot dead in front of thousands as he debated students at Utah Valley University on September 10.

The shooting is one of the highest-profile incidents among a series of attacks on politicians and prominent figures, which have intensified concern over political violence in the US.

Utah prosecutors began presenting their case against Tyler James Robinson in a preliminary hearing that started on Monday, local time, and has featured lengthy back-and-forth arguments about what evidence should be admissible.

Here is what to know about the hearing and some of the key takeaways from the week so far.

What is Robinson charged with?

Mr Robinson, who was training to be an electrician at the time of the shooting, faces seven criminal charges, including aggravated murder.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. He has not yet entered a plea.

What is a preliminary trial?

The five-day preliminary hearing is where prosecutors will try to prove probable cause.

That is a legal standard needed to proceed with the trial.

It requires prosecutors to present enough factual evidence to demonstrate there are reasonable grounds to believe Mr Robinson killed Mr Kirk.

The proceeding will resemble a mini-trial, with prosecutors offering evidence, witness statements and autopsy findings to support their case.

After the hearing concludes, State District Judge Tony Graf must determine if the case should proceed.

What have we learned from the hearing?

Kirk's family wants all evidence made public

Mr Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, and parents asked the judge to allow public access to more evidence presented in the hearing.

In a motion made public on Thursday, local time, a lawyer for the family argued all exhibits brought by prosecutors should be shown publicly in the courtroom.

Several video exhibits have been admitted into evidence but not presented for viewing in full.

Attorney Jeffrey Neiman wrote that withholding evidence from public view was "not transparency" and would fuel conspiracy theories about Mr Kirk's death.

He argued the family was being "denied the very thing their presence was meant to secure: the ability to meaningfully observe".

"The Kirk family has waited 10 months for this hearing … they have a right to hear the evidence," he told the court.

Judge Graf ruled against the motion.

He previously said the court was balancing transparency with Mr Robinson's right to a fair trial.

Ex-partner says Robinson expressed regret after shooting

Mr Robinson's former romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, told prosecutors the accused expressed regret a day after the shooting, according to a video interview played in court on Thursday.

In the April 20 interview, which was partially redacted from public view on the orders of Judge Graf, Utah County prosecutor Ryan McBride asked Mr Twiggs about text messages he exchanged with Mr Robinson in the house after the shooting.

In the messages, Mr Robinson allegedly admitted to Mr Twiggs that he shot Mr Kirk.

Mr Twiggs said Mr Robinson returned to their three-bedroom townhouse in St George, Utah, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive south of Utah Valley University, the morning after the shooting.

"I just asked him in person if what he said was true the night before, and he said it was," Mr Twiggs told Mr McBride in the interview.

"He started crying a little bit and said he wishes he hadn't done it."

Mr Twiggs agreed to the interview with prosecutors and police in lieu of testifying at the preliminary hearing and was granted immunity for his cooperation.

Judge Graf barred parts of the interview from being played in court after Mr Robinson's lawyer said prosecutors would portray the clips as "confessions" and jeopardise the defendant's right to a fair trial.

Mr Twiggs said he first met Mr Robinson in 2023 when he moved into their shared townhouse, and they started dating about three months later.

More insight into Robinson's defence

The preliminary hearing has given the first insights into the strategy Mr Robinson's defence team may use to rebut the prosecution's case at trial.

In court this week, his lawyers have suggested police failed to investigate possible evidence that someone else might have carried out the killing.

Text messages presented by prosecutors show Mr Twiggs asked Mr Robinson why he allegedly shot Mr Kirk, and he replied: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."

Prosecutors argued the messages indicate Mr Robinson targeted Mr Kirk because of his conservative political views, including anti-LGBTQ comments.

The defence disputed the characterisation and sought to limit the use of evidence pointing to a political motive, which could be used in arguments for the death penalty.

Mr Twiggs said he rarely discussed politics with Mr Robinson, and the first time they spoke of Mr Kirk was after the shooting.

ABC/Reuters