PROVO, Utah — Prosecutors presented a video in court Wednesday showing Tyler Robinson after he voluntarily surrendered to authorities following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last month. The clip, played during a hearing before State District Judge Tony Graf, depicts Robinson standing silently in a room at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office wearing a T-shirt and baseball cap. The footage contained no audio, and it remains unclear whether Robinson was questioned during the recording.
The hearing, held this week, is focused on deciding whether there is sufficient evidence to move forward with an aggravated murder charge against Robinson. Kirk was shot on campus in September while addressing a crowd of several thousand people. Prosecutors allege Robinson targeted Kirk due to opposition to his views, citing a text message sent to Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, expressing that Robinson “had enough of [Kirk’s] hatred.”
Judge Graf indicated he would permit prosecutors on Thursday to present redacted audio statements from Twiggs, who was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony. Robinson’s defense team expressed concerns about the potential impact on Robinson’s right to a fair trial if Twiggs’s statements were publicly broadcast, while attorneys representing both Kirk’s family and media outlets urged for transparency.
Robinson’s attorneys have so far declined to enter a plea and have not commented on his involvement in the crime. They have, however, attempted to remove the death penalty as a sentencing option, though those efforts have not yet succeeded.
The defense also challenged the reliability of forensic evidence linking Robinson to the shooting. During the hearing, an FBI DNA analyst was cross-examined about the testing methods used to connect Robinson to a towel found wrapped around a rifle at the scene. According to testimony, DNA analysis identified genetic material on the towel belonging to two individuals: Twiggs and likely Robinson.
Forensic science experts cited in court described DNA testing as a highly dependable investigative tool. Lawrence Quarino, director of the forensic science program at Cedar Crest College, characterized it as “the gold standard in forensic science.” State Bureau of Investigation expert Jennifer Faumuina confirmed the presence of dual DNA profiles on the towel.
Prosecutors further allege Robinson left a written note for Twiggs in which he confessed to the shooting, stating, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” Authorities say Robinson ascended to a rooftop near the event before shooting Kirk once in the neck as he engaged with the audience. Kirk was subsequently transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The prosecution maintains that the shooting also endangered bystanders at the campus event, an element that could qualify the offense for the death penalty under Utah law. The judge is expected to rule later this week on whether the case will proceed to trial.