The preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson in the assassination of Charlie Kirk has concluded without a decision from Judge Tony Graf Jr. on Friday, but the week-long proceeding has brought to light a wide range of evidence in the case.
Robinson, 23, is accused of shooting Kirk, 31, from a rooftop sniper's perch during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. The evidence introduced in court included testimony from Utah State Bureau of Investigation Agent David Hull, who listed Kirk's death as a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the neck.
The defense team objected to showing Robinson's autopsy report in court, but Hull's testimony included no indication that the forensic pathologist who handled the autopsy found anything inconsistent with that conclusion, ruling out theories involving an exploding microphone.
A series of conspiracy theories about the case have emerged, but many of them have been debunked by evidence introduced in court. One theory involved an alleged lack of a visible "exit wound" in graphic video of Kirk's murder, but a doctor who performed the autopsy was confident it was the gunshot that killed Kirk.
James Gagliano, a retired FBI supervisory special agent, stated that over his 25-year career, he's seen .22-caliber rounds go all the way through a human body, and much larger .45-caliber rounds hit a bone, muscle or even soft tissue and stop. He said that suppositions like this highlight a complete ignorance of ballistics and are typically spouted by those who have never stood alongside a medical examiner conducting homicide victim autopsies.
The forensic pathologist recovered bullet fragments from Kirk's body, which were sent to the ATF for testing. Although tool marks on the fragments themselves were inconclusive, the caliber was consistent with a spent cartridge casing found in the suspected murder weapon — which authorities allege had Robinson's DNA on it.
The defense may have fanned some flames by playing up evidence of other, unrelated weapons recovered at the scene. They noted that investigators found an empty pistol holster just steps from where Kirk was killed as well as an unfired .223 round on the roof of another building.
Prosecutors say they have surveillance video of a Dodge Challenger coming and going, and Robinson allegedly encountered a Spanish Fork police officer who ran his license plates. His DNA was allegedly recovered from a screwdriver found near the sniper's perch and on the suspected murder weapon, hidden in a "wooded area" just steps away from campus.
Tayler Hansen, an independent journalist, attempted to recreate the suspect's route across campus to test and debunk conspiracy theories with a video of his own. He said he was slightly taller than Robinson, who is listed as standing 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing around 150 pounds, according to the Utah County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators alleged they can place Robinson on campus multiple times the day of the murder with video, physical and digital evidence. They showed a compilation video taken by UVU surveillance cameras showing all of that. Additionally, Robinson allegedly made contact with some Turning Point USA representatives on campus.
The defense attorneys have not introduced any phone data that could place Robinson somewhere else at the time of the murder. Police also obtained a Cellebrite extraction from Robinson's phone, according to testimony throughout the week. Such extractions include information about calls, texts, app usage and location and phone tower data.
Another conspiracy theory promoted on social media claims that there are "many" young men who decided to wear maroon shirts and light shorts on the day Charlie Kirk was killed. A compilation video played in court shows the suspect in two different outfits — one of which included a maroon T-shirt. Prosecutors have alleged Robinson appears to be both of them.
The next hearing, on Sept. 1, is scheduled to be held just days before the first full year since Kirk's assassination. Graf agreed to a defense request to allow lawyers to file briefs before he decides whether Robinson's case should go to trial, a move that adds about six weeks to the process.
The public interest in the case has been enormous, with many conspiracy theories emerging in the absence of information. However, evidence introduced in court has provided a clearer picture of the events surrounding Kirk's murder.
Lance Twiggs, Robinson's former roommate and lover, sat for multiple interviews with authorities, including one that the prosecution attempted to play video of in court. After some objections from the defense, a redacted version was shown. The highly anticipated video was a huge part of the hearing this week.
The defense tried hard not to allow the public to hear testimony from Twiggs or see text messages, Discord chat logs or the handwritten note Robinson left for Twiggs — all three of which include what appear to be admissions of guilt. Graf allowed that evidence, however, and the defense showed nothing to indicate there was a foreign conspiracy involved in Kirk's murder.
