Tyler Robinson Faces Aggravated Murder Trial After Charlie Kirk Assassination Hearing in Provo, Utah

A weeklong preliminary hearing began Monday in Provo, Utah, for Tyler Robinson, accused of aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

“Laurent Garrigues Published December 30, 2025 at 8:19 p”

20 Minutes

Prosecutors said they will present four law enforcement witnesses and 40 to 50 exhibits, including some described as “graphic in nature,” as Judge Tony Graf decides whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial and whether the death penalty should be considered.

20 Minutes

The hearing is framed as the most significant presentation of evidence so far, with the government seeking to convince the state judge to allow the trial to move forward.

NewsNation reported that the investigation began as “organized chaos” as authorities worked to determine whether an active shooter was still at large before locking down the campus.

AP reported that after the hearing concludes, Graf must determine if the case should proceed, and that Robinson’s attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence.

Former Utah Valley University officer Christopher Bagley testified Monday that he heard a shot at 12:23 p.m. as Charlie Kirk spoke to a crowd under a white tent.

Bagley told the court he ran to a nearby gravel rooftop and found what he described as an apparent “sniper pad,” saying he saw markings of elbows, knees and feet where someone had been in the line of sight.

ABC News

Bagley also testified that he got to the roof of the Losee Center around 12:44 p.m. and spotted something “that looked out of place to me,” including a red-and-black screwdriver.

Defense attorney Kathy Nester pushed back during cross-examination, asking about security preparations and noting there were no metal detectors screening guests or drones used for security that day.

CBS News reported that the hearing marks a five-day preliminary hearing and that prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for defendant Tyler Robinson.

Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, and his parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, attended the preliminary hearing in Provo, with the family describing the proceedings as a “painful reminder” of Kirk’s death.

“Live updates: Prosecutors argue the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk should stand trial What to know: - A weeklong preliminary hearing for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk has begun”

AP News

ABC News quoted the family statement saying, “Every court proceeding serves as a painful reminder of his death and the loss that has irrevocably impacted our lives,” while also saying they would not comment further and asked for continued privacy.

Prosecutors said they plan to seek the death penalty, and the hearing is designed to determine whether there is probable cause for Robinson to face trial.

AP reported that prosecutors plan to try again on Tuesday to reintroduce surveillance video compiled from Utah Valley University, after a judge initially blocked it because it had been altered with markings and by zooming in.

In the courtroom, Bagley’s testimony and the dispute over evidence set the immediate stakes for Judge Tony Graf’s decision on whether the case moves forward and whether capital punishment remains on the table.