Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, appeared in a U.S. court this week.
The purpose of the hearing was to determine if there’s enough evidence for Robinson to stand trial.
The 23-year-old is accused of fatally shooting Kirk at Utah Valley University in September 2025.
If convicted of murder, Robinson could face the death penalty.
Here’s the latest.
Charlie Kirk
Kirk was considered an influential figure in U.S. conservative politics and a close ally of President Donald Trump.
He was a podcaster and the founder of Turning Point USA, an organisation aimed at promoting conservative politics to young people.
Kirk had previously supported the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which includes “the right to bear arms”.
Death
Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University for a Turning Point USA event when he was shot and killed on 10 September, 2025.
Kirk was answering a question about gun violence in the moments before his assassination.
Then-22-year-old Tyler Robinson was later charged with aggravated murder over Kirk’s death.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea.
HearingIn the U.S, a preliminary hearing can be held before a criminal trial.
The hearing allows a judge to determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. It can include evidence and witness testimony.
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Robinson’s preliminary hearing began on Monday (local time). Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, and his parents attended the proceedings in Utah.
Among the evidence presented was a recorded police interview with Robinson’s former roommate and partner, Lance Twiggs.
Twiggs told police Robinson said “he wishes he hadn’t done it”.
The court was shown text messages between the pair immediately after the shooting.
In a letter addressed to Twiggs, Robinson wrote: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.”
The court was shown footage of a man alleged to be Robinson buying a meal on campus before climbing onto a rooftop and running across it.
A screwdriver, rifle and towel found after the shooting were DNA tested. An FBI report linked DNA to Twiggs and found a likely, though not definitive, match to Robinson.
When shown the university’s CCTV footage, Twiggs said: “They do look like Tyler Robinson.”
Robinson’s defence objected to some evidence and testimony, arguing the footage lacked proper foundation, and questioning potential DNA testing errors.
What’s next?
Judge Tony Graf will decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
The hearing will determine whether there is “probable cause”, a lower legal threshold than a criminal trial, where guilt must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt”.
If the case goes to trial and Robinson is convicted, he could face the death penalty.
Since 1976, eight people have been executed in Utah, most recently in 2024.
