A federal judge is evaluating evidence to determine whether the murder case against Tyler James Robinson will proceed to trial, following the conclusion of a five-day preliminary hearing on Friday.
US District Judge Tony Graf will review arguments from both prosecutors and the defense over the coming weeks before delivering his ruling.
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Robinson faces charges for the fatal shooting of prominent far-right political figure Charlie Kirk, who was killed on September 10, 2025, during a tour event at Utah Valley University, where he founded Turning Point USA.
Court Proceedings
The legal proceedings brought Robinson face-to-face with Kirk's widow, Erika, and his parents for the first time since the incident occurred on the university campus last year.
State prosecutors presented forensic evidence matching Robinson's DNA to the firearm used in the shooting, alongside surveillance footage tracking a suspect climbing to a rooftop vantage point.
The defense team focused on challenging the accuracy of the DNA results.
Robinson's former roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, provided testimony regarding a conversation after the shooting.
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"He wishes he hadn't done it," Twiggs said.
During cross-examination of witnesses, Judge Graf intervened to instruct defense attorneys to maintain focus on establishing probable cause rather than exploring minor details.
"We don't need to go 100 miles down a path where one mile is where probable cause may be.
I invite you to refocus ...
I'm not trying to limit your theories or such but I need to hold to probable cause," Graf said.
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The court is waiting to see whether Robinson will enter a guilty plea as the judge prepares his upcoming decision.
