Prosecutors began presenting the case against Tyler Robinson in the killing of Charlie Kirk as part of a five-day hearing in a Utah courtroom that started on Monday morning. The prosecution hopes to convince a judge that they have enough evidence for the 23-year-old accused of fatally shooting the far-right commentator last year to face trial and the death penalty.
Family attends hearing
The proceedings began on Monday, and Kirk’s parents and widow, Erika, arrived separately at the courthouse shortly before the hearing was scheduled to start. It was the first time Kirk’s family was in the courtroom with his accused killer. Donald Trump Jr was reportedly with them in court.
Kirk’s family issued a brief statement before the hearing on Monday morning and asked for privacy. “Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father. Every court proceeding serves as a painful reminder of his death and the loss that has irrevocably impacted our lives and the lives of his children,” the joint statement from his parents, sister and widow said. “We remain deeply grateful for the support, prayers, and kindness we have received. This outpouring has sustained us during the darkest days of our lives.”
Details of the shooting
Kirk was shot in the neck on 10 September 2025 while delivering remarks at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors have said there is DNA evidence that links Robinson to the weapon believed to be used in the killing and that he allegedly confessed to the assassination in a note he left his roommate and romantic partner. Robinson, who surrendered to police the day after the shooting, has been charged with aggravated murder. He has not yet entered a plea in the case, but his attorneys have tried to block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.
This week, the state must prove there is “evidence sufficient to support a reasonable belief that an offense has been committed and that the defendant committed it,” the Utah county attorney’s office said in a statement last month. The case can proceed to trial if the prosecution presents sufficient evidence, the office said.
Death penalty sought
If Robinson is convicted, prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty. This week, prosecutors were expected to argue the shooting placed other people at the event in danger, which would amount to an aggravating circumstance that could make the crime eligible for the death penalty. The prosecution told the judge that they plan to show several videos of the shooting in court. Kirk’s family members left the courtroom shortly after the first witness began speaking.
The hearing kicked off on Monday with testimony from Chris Bagley, a former Utah Valley University police officer. Bagley described the moments leading up to the shooting and hearing a loud gunshot. “Everybody kind of got up. A lot of people were screaming and starting to run in all different directions,” Bagley told the courtroom. The police officer searched for additional victims, but finding none, moved to contain the scene to preserve evidence, he said. Police initially believed they had the shooter in custody. After observing that a nearby building had a direct line of sight to where Kirk was speaking at the time he was shot, Bagley said he went to the building’s rooftop where he saw evidence that he believed indicated a sniper had been there, including a “disturbance” in the gravel.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
