Tyler Robinson’s five-day preliminary hearing concludes; final arguments set for Sept. 1
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- Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, listens as defense attorney Michael Burt speaks during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
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- Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride, left, cross-examines witness Caitlin Oliver, forensic biologist with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
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- Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, listens as Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride speaks during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
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- Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, listens during a preliminary hearing at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
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- Charlie Kirk’s friend Brandon Tatum speaks to the media Friday, July 10, 2026, in Provo.
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- Fourth District Court Judge Tony Graf speaks during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
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- Caitlin Oliver, forensic biologist with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, testifies during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
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- Defense attorney Richard Novak goes to sit down after speaking during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
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- Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride arrives to a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
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- Defense attorney Kathryn Nester during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
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- Jeff A. Neiman, representing Erika Kirk, speaks on behalf of the Kirk family during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
A media cluster swarmed the front entrance of Provo’s 4th District Courthouse Friday afternoon, with local and national journalists hoping to catch a glimpse of parties involved in the Tyler Robinson preliminary hearing.
The news media was outnumbered perhaps only by the security fortifying the courthouse, as law enforcement was seen in vehicles, on foot patrol and stationed around the building’s perimeter.
The scene served as a final image of the five-day preliminary hearing as it concluded Friday, where Utah County prosecutors presented evidence intended to establish probable cause that Robinson shot and killed political activist Charlie Kirk from a rooftop during a Sept. 10, 2025, event at Utah Valley University. The state seeks the death penalty.
Judge Tony F. Graf did not make a decision on whether to take the case to trial. The court will reconvene Sept. 1, when the parties will present final arguments, and a ruling will be made.
Throughout the hearing, the prosecution sparred with the defense over what evidence could be admitted into the courtroom and which of the admitted exhibits could be shown on the livestream broadcasting the proceedings.
During the first two days of the hearing, prosecutors presented evidence that a shooter was perched on the rooftop of the Losee Center, where a screwdriver was found as well as disruptions in the gravel. Prosecutors also presented videos allegedly tracking Robinson’s movements around campus and forensic and physical evidence against Robinson.
On Wednesday, an investigator testified about Robinson turning himself in to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecutors showed a video of Robinson inside the sheriff’s office.
On Thursday, a video interview with Robinson’s former roommate, Lance Twiggs, was broadcast by prosecutors, and showed Twiggs telling law enforcement that Robinson confessed to the murder and that Robinson said “he wishes he hadn’t done it.”
“Your Honor has heard four days of testimony now,” Utah County Prosecutor Chad Grunander said Friday. “The evidence is overwhelming; it’s devastating.”
The defense spent much of the week fighting against the admission of evidence, citing hearsay, public access and Robinson’s right to a fair trial. On Thursday and Friday, they also brought two witnesses to the stand from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and questioned the reliability of DNA evidence.
On Friday, ATF DNA Section Chief Caitlin Oliver said analysis of submitted DNA evidence found support for inclusion of Robinson’s DNA, but also testified about the limitations and inconclusiveness of DNA evidence.
“With forensic evidence, it’s impossible to state with 100% certainty anything,” Oliver said.
During Friday’s proceedings, Graf barred media from broadcasting any evidence shown in court in response to a three-second window on Thursday when a camera showed evidence that had yet to be admitted.
Due to the ruling, the final video evidence from the state shown Friday was not shown on the public livestream. The AP reported that the video evidence allegedly showed Robinson at the time of the shooting, and showed an individual run across the roof of the Losee Center and drop into a crawl position.
The five-day proceedings played out in front of Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk; Kirk’s parents, Kathryn and Robert; and Robinson’s parents, Matt and Amber Robinson.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the Kirk family released a statement.
“As difficult as these last few days have been, it brings our family comfort to know that the world has witnessed the overwhelming evidence of what occurred to Charlie that day,” the Kirks said.
“Nothing will ever undo the loss of our beloved Charlie. As this case moves into its next phase, we pray that truth will continue to be heard through a process that is fair, transparent, and grounded in the facts.”
Brandon Tatum, a friend of Kirk’s, a former police officer and conservative influencer, spoke to the media at the conclusion of Friday’s proceedings, saying he believed there was “overwhelming evidence” presented that Robinson committed the crime.
“I think probable cause was established in probably the most profound way possible, and I’m excited that the world gets a chance to see what the truth is and that Charlie can get some justice,” Tatum said.
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