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Preliminary hearing begins
Prosecutors began a weeklong preliminary hearing in Utah to decide whether Tyler Robinson’s murder trial will move forward after he was accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Sept. 10.
In the first day of testimony, former Utah Valley University Officer Christopher Bagley told the court he heard a shot fired at 12:23 p.m. as Kirk spoke under a white tent, and he described the scene as a "chaos situation" when people started screaming and running.
Bagley said he ran toward the crime scene, found an empty pistol holster while canvassing, and later climbed to the rooftop of the Losee Center building where he saw indentations in the gravel that he said looked like a "sniper pad."
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Robinson, and Judge Tony Graf is set to decide whether there is probable cause to face trial, while the hearing is expected to last up to five days and be livestreamed.
Family, lawyers, and evidence
Kirk’s parents and widow, Erika Kirk, were in the courtroom as testimony began, and the family issued a statement saying, "Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father."
During Bagley’s testimony, defense attorney Kathryn Nester questioned security preparations and Bagley acknowledged there were no metal detectors screening guests and no drones used for security that day.
Nester also pressed Bagley on what he could identify from surveillance video, and Bagley acknowledged he could not identify the suspected shooter based on the surveillance video or clearly see a weapon in the video.
As the hearing proceeded, Judge Tony Graf considered whether graphic videos should be “published,” and the court record will show that Robinson was identified after a dispute over in-court identification.
What comes next
Prosecutors told the judge they plan to show videos of the shooting and present evidence including DNA evidence linking Robinson to the weapon believed to be used, testimony from investigators, autopsy findings, witness statements, and video of Kirk’s killing.
“'Painful reminder': Charlie Kirk's family speaks as accused killer's hearing begins Donald Trump Jr”
The state must convince the judge there are reasonable grounds to believe Robinson killed Kirk for the case to proceed, and if Robinson is convicted prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.
The hearing is also being shaped by disputes over media access, with cameras allowed but the judge stopping them from capturing some of the footage played in court, and defense attorneys arguing some videos may have been altered.
Outside the courtroom, the case has drawn political attention tied to Kirk’s role as a co-founder of Turning Point USA and an ally of President Donald Trump, with Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. attending the hearing and Trump calling for the death penalty.
