Erika Kirk and prosecutors have argued for keeping proceedings against Tyler Robinson, the man accused in Charlie Kirk’s killing, as transparent as possible, saying public access could help counter the conspiracy theories that have spread since his death.
The case moved forward Monday with the start of a five-day evidentiary hearing, a Utah legal step meant to determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence for the matter to proceed to trial.
Robinson’s defense team has taken the opposite position, seeking to limit cameras and restrict the release of potentially explosive evidence, arguing that broad exposure could prejudice future jurors.
The judge has opted for a middle ground: cameras are permitted inside the courtroom, but video of Kirk’s September killing at Utah Valley University and other evidentiary exhibits will not be broadcast publicly.
Media access to the proceedings has also been restricted.
Even so, unfounded speculation about the death of the Turning Point USA founder has continued to gain traction online.
False claims suggesting Kirk was killed at the direction of Israel, the Trump administration or other powerful figures have continued circulating, including some promoted by Candace Owens, who has described herself as close to Kirk.
On Monday, TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet moved to publicly distance the organization from Owens and her claims.
“Candace, you and Charlie were not friends. He managed you. He kept things light and polite so you wouldn’t turn on the org,” Kolvet posted to X on Monday as Utah prosecutors laid out evidence against Robinson.
“Show me any proof of genuine friendship from the last 12 months of his life? From the last 18 months? From the last 24 months? Not some 2018 text.
“… This is your central, foundational lie.”
In court, prosecutors interviewed witnesses, showed graphic videos of Kirk’s death by long-range rifle, and mapped out the crime scene — just a few of the scores of exhibits planned for this week’s proceedings, which will determine whether the 23-year-old accused gunman faces enough evidence to go on trial.
Erika Kirk has pushed for video evidence to be admitted in court and broadcast by the media, despite Robinson’s defense filing motions to suppress it.
Law enforcement agents who witnessed Kirk’s death testified Monday that they heard what sounded like a rifle shot and saw a figure carrying a long, thin object drop from a rooftop near where Kirk was speaking.
State prosecutors also showed graphics of Robinson’s alleged path to and from campus and doorbell camera footage of him driving to a nearby neighborhood in his car.
The abundance of evidence is meant to show that, without a doubt, Robinson alone should face murder charges, for which he could face the death penalty.
His defense, however, has railed against the prosecution for its comments to the press, which they say has violated a court gag order to protect the jury pool from being biased by the press.
The hearing will continue through this week, during which prosecutors are expected to show video testimony from Robinson’s lover Lance Twiggs — to whom the accused gunman allegedly admitted to the shooting in text messages.
