Utah Prosecutors Seek Trial For Tyler Robinson In Charlie Kirk Shooting Case

Utah prosecutors used a weeklong preliminary hearing in Provo to lay out evidence against Tyler Robinson, accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, with prosecutors seeking to convince Judge Tony Graf that there is enough evidence to send him to trial.

In testimony described by NewsNation, David Hull said prosecutors played clips from Utah Valley University surveillance cameras showing Robinson around campus on the day of the shooting, including that Hull narrated Robinson was driving into a parking garage, walking away, returning and leaving.

ABC News

Hull testified that investigators recovered a rifle wrapped in a dark towel from a wooded area near campus and a screwdriver from the Losee Center roof, and that the rifle was sent to the ATF for testing while the towel and screwdriver were sent to the FBI for DNA analysis.

FBI DNA analyst Amanda Bakker told the court DNA testing did not identify Robinson as the source but found he could not be excluded as a “possible contributor” to DNA recovered from the towel wrapped around the rifle and a screwdriver found on the roof.

In a separate account, CBS News described Hull testifying that Robinson bought a meal at Chick-fil-A and made contact with Kirk's staff before returning in different clothes to shoot the conservative activist from a rooftop.

The hearing featured disputes over forensic language and what jurors and the public would see, with NewsNation reporting that Bakker said FBI policy bars analysts from describing DNA results as an “absolute identification,” and that her report identified Robinson only as a possible contributor, not a confirmed source.

NewsNation also reported that prosecutors and defense attorneys sparred over whether surveillance video should be shown publicly, and that Judge Graf ruled that a statement from Turning Point USA board member David Englehardt would be admitted provisionally but not played publicly or shown to the courtroom or media.

Associated Press

In CBS News’ account, prosecutors said they intend to seek the death penalty and are trying to convince Judge Tony Graf to bring Robinson to trial on an aggravated murder charge, while Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

CBS News further described the defense objecting to broadcasting a second, enhanced video showing the same surveillance footage that was played for media earlier, and that the judge sustained the defense objection.

In NPR Utah’s coverage, the hearing is described as determining whether there is enough evidence to move the case to trial at the end of the week, scheduled to last until Friday, with Fourth District Judge Tony Graf making the determination.

Prosecutors’ case, as described across outlets, ties the alleged shooting to a victim-targeting enhancement and to aggravating circumstances that could make the crime punishable by death under Utah law, with the victim enhancement alleging Robinson intentionally targeted Kirk because of Kirk’s political views.

NewsNation reported that defense attorneys argued a statement from Turning Point USA board member David Englehardt should not be played publicly because it would not help the court decide whether prosecutors can prove the victim-targeting enhancement, while prosecutors said the statement gives important context about Kirk’s persona, beliefs and messaging.

NBC News’ account places the hearing in a broader procedural timeline, saying Utah prosecutors began laying the foundation of their case against suspected Charlie Kirk shooter Tyler Robinson in what is expected to be a weeklong hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.

In BBC coverage, prosecutors released new surveillance footage they say shows the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk running across a rooftop after the fatal shooting, and the footage also appears to show the suspect jumping off the roof while holding an object.

BBC also reported that Judge Graf will not make a determination of guilt or innocence but will weigh whether the prosecution has presented strong enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial, with Robinson facing multiple charges including aggravated murder.