Erika Kirk is expected to be confronted this week with harrowing evidence tied to the killing of her husband, Charlie Kirk, as accused gunman Tyler Robinson appears in court for a pivotal hearing.
“It’s going to be a tough week on everybody,” a source familiar with the matter said, referring to Charlie’s relatives and close friends who are preparing to attend Robinson’s five-day evidentiary hearing in Provo, Utah.
“There is going to be evidence presented which the family may choose to leave the courtroom for,” the source added. “That’s their prerogative. They are going to make those decisions when in court.”
In Utah, a preliminary hearing allows prosecutors to lay out evidence against a defendant so a judge can determine whether probable cause exists to move the case toward trial. The proceeding serves as Utah’s alternative to securing a grand jury indictment.
Judge Tony Graf is expected to be shown graphic footage of the public assassination, along with autopsy-related evidence, during the hearing, which is scheduled to begin Monday.
It was not immediately known whether images of Kirk’s body would also be shown in court.
Attorneys for both the prosecution and defense have agreed that Kirk’s family members will be given advance warnings, allowing them to step out of the courtroom before the most distressing evidence is presented.
Robinson is charged with fatally shooting 31-year-old Kirk from a distance as he addressed a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10.
The 23-year-old gunman allegedly admitted to the shooting in messages with his trans lover Lance Twiggs, which are expected to be presented at the hearing, according to prosecutors.
Included in the evidence is likely to be a recorded interview that Twiggs underwent.
The 22-year-old former roommate of Robinson’s sat down with prosecutors on April 20 to discuss Robinson.
Twiggs — who was spotted laying low with family in Texas earlier this year — was given limited immunity for that interview.
Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted. He has yet to enter a plea in the case.
