PROVO, Utah — A pivotal hearing begins Monday in Utah in the murder case of Charlie Kirk, as prosecutors seek to show a judge they have sufficient evidence to put the accused man on trial and pursue a possible death sentence.
The five-day preliminary hearing is expected to be the most substantial public presentation of evidence to date. It will also be the first time Kirk’s parents and widow are expected to appear in court alongside the defendant, Tyler Robinson.
Robinson, 23, faces an aggravated murder charge in the Sept. 10 killing of Kirk, a conservative activist and supporter of President Donald Trump, at Utah Valley University. Authorities have said Robinson surrendered the day after the shooting.
According to prosecutors, Robinson admitted to the killing in a note left for his roommate, who was also his romantic partner. The message allegedly stated, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
Robinson has not entered a plea, and his defense team has not publicly addressed whether he is guilty or innocent. His attorneys have tried to remove the death penalty as a potential punishment, but those efforts have not succeeded so far.
The hearing will function much like a condensed trial, though prosecutors face a lower legal threshold. Rather than proving guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” they must show there are reasonable grounds to believe Robinson was responsible for Kirk’s death.
After the hearing concludes, state District Judge Tony Graf will decide whether the evidence is strong enough for the case to move forward to trial.
Prosecutors have said their case will include DNA evidence allegedly tying Robinson to the suspected murder weapon, testimony from investigators, autopsy results, witness accounts and video footage of Kirk’s killing. They are also expected to argue that the shooting placed others at Kirk’s campus event in danger, an aggravating factor that could make the offense eligible for the death penalty under Utah law.
Prosecutors this week can use secondhand information, or hearsay, to help present their case.
Robinson’s roommate is not expected to testify in person during the hearing. Still, the roommate’s recorded testimony could be a focal point for prosecutors.
In addition to the alleged confession note, Robinson reportedly texted his roommate that he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred,” prosecutors have said.
Before his death, Kirk and the organization he co-founded, Turning Point USA, galvanized the conservative youth vote to help Trump win a second term.
The Republican president has said he hopes Robinson receives the death penalty.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, said during his memorial service that she forgives Robinson. She is expected in court throughout the week with her husband’s parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
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