- Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at a Utah Valley University 'Prove Me Wrong' debate on Sept 10 last year.
- Tyler Robinson was arrested after a 33-hour manhunt following the shooting.
- The preliminary hearing began with the judge visibly flinching as video of the assassination was played in court for the first time.
- Judge Tony Graf ruled that some of the footage could not be shown to the press or public because it was so shocking and had not been properly redacted.
- Much of the hearing centered on whether certain evidence could be admitted to court, including graphic footage of the single shot to the neck that killed Mr Kirk.
- Tyler Robinson, a 23-year-old from Utah, was alleged to have returned to the scene of the shooting hours after it occurred.
- Mr Robinson visited the Utah Valley University campus twice before the shooting, once during the incident, and once more in the night afterwards.
- Another police witness discussed Mr Kirk’s post-mortem examination, which found his cause of death was homicide by a gunshot wound to the neck.
- Mr Robinson, who has not yet entered a plea, could face the death penalty if found guilty of Mr Kirk’s murder.
- Erika Kirk was seen crying during a police officer’s testimony about the shooting and left the courtroom with her parents-in-law.
The preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Charlie Kirk, revealed harrowing details as the judge flinched at graphic video evidence.1236
The footage depicted the fatal shot to Kirk's neck, prompting Judge Tony Graf to restrict its public viewing due to its shocking nature.4
Robinson, 23, allegedly returned to the scene of the shooting hours later and has not yet entered a plea. If convicted, he could face the death penalty for the murder that occurred during a campus debate on September 10 last year.9
“Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father,” said a joint statement from Kirk's family, expressing their gratitude for public support while mourning their loss.
During the hearing, police witnesses testified about the investigation, including a 33-hour manhunt that led to Robinson's arrest after he allegedly confessed to his parents. “Yes, he is,” a police officer confirmed when asked if Robinson was the man captured on CCTV footage.
The court also examined the authenticity of video evidence, with Robinson's defense questioning its admissibility due to potential alterations. “Hey Facist! [sic] Catch!” were among the inscriptions found on bullets linked to the case, highlighting the disturbing context surrounding the murder.
“Judge Tony Graf ruled that graphic video footage of the assassination could not be shown to the press or public because it had not been properly redacted. Separately, the defendant Tyler Robinson, 23, who has not yet entered a plea, could face the death penalty if found guilty of murder.”
