Inside digital evidence presented during preliminary hearing in Tyler Robinson trial
The case against Tyler Robinson, the man accused in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, took a dramatic turn during a preliminary hearing in Provo, Utah, when Robinson’s former roommate, Lance Twiggs, testified under a grant of immunity. Twiggs described text messages and face-to-face conversations in which he said Robinson admitted to killing Kirk and expressed regret, saying he wished he had not done it.
Utah prosecutors are pressing to move the case to trial, arguing that the evidence against Robinson more than satisfies the legal threshold required at this stage of the proceedings.
On Tuesday, after a five-day preliminary hearing held earlier this month, prosecutors submitted the first of three written briefs requested by Judge Tony Graf. In the filing, they urged the judge to bind Robinson over for trial, saying the record overwhelmingly supports probable cause on every charge.
“This is likely as straight-forward a bindover decision as this Court will ever see,” prosecutors wrote. “After admitting to several friends, including his roommate and romantic partner, that he assassinated Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University (UVU) on September 10, 2025, in front of approximately 3000 eyewitnesses, Defendant surrendered to law enforcement for that crime.”
Prosecutors said Robinson’s alleged confessions are significant, but they emphasized that the case does not rest on those statements alone.
Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, appears in court during his first in-person court appearance on Dec. 11, 2025. (Pool/KSL-TV)
“These admissions, along with others, establish probable cause to support most of the elements of the charges,” prosecutors wrote.
“DNA testing, surveillance video, and eyewitness testimony buttress those elements and demonstrate probable cause to support the remaining elements. The Court should bind Defendant for trial over on all counts,” they continued.
Alleged texts between Lance Twiggs and Tyler Robinson were shared in court. (Fox News; Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
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According to the filing, Robinson allegedly confessed to former roommate and romantic partner Lance Twiggs, writing, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.”
Prosecutors say Robinson also admitted planning the assassination for “a bit over a week,” discussed trying to retrieve the rifle after the shooting and later wrote, “I’m going to turn myself in willingly.”
Judge Tony Graf in 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, April 17, 2026, during a hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
The 28-page memorandum repeatedly points to evidence introduced during the preliminary hearing, including surveillance video investigators say tracked Robinson across Utah Valley University before and after the shooting, DNA recovered from the suspected murder weapon, a fired cartridge casing, a towel and screwdriver, and eyewitness testimony placing the alleged gunman on the rooftop overlooking Kirk’s event.
Prosecutors argue the evidence leaves little doubt that Robinson should be bound over for trial on all seven counts.
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
Prosecutors also argue Robinson planned the assassination for more than a week, intentionally targeted Kirk and knowingly endangered numerous bystanders by firing a high-powered rifle into a crowd gathered to hear the conservative activist speak. Prosecutors argue the evidence easily clears Utah’s probable-cause standard at this stage of the case.
Judge Graf requested written arguments after concluding the five-day preliminary hearing earlier this month rather than immediately making a ruling.
The defense is expected to file its written opposition in the coming weeks, followed by a final response from prosecutors before oral arguments are scheduled for Sept. 1.
Robinson, 23, has not yet entered a plea. He faces aggravated murder and six additional felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from Kirk’s killing.
If Judge Graf finds probable cause, Robinson will be bound over for trial. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty on the aggravated murder charge.
