BUZZ
Erika Kirk is in the courtroom for the hearing
Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer began his preliminary hearing today as the prosecutors seek to move the case forward. The hearing is expected to take all week and will be viewable online. Most of the hearing thus far has revolved around the admissibility of victim statements and video.
Tyler Robinson stands accused of murdering Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, on Sept. 10, 2025 at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors must convince the judge there is “probable cause” that Robinson is guilty in Kirk’s murder.
“The preliminary hearing requires that the prosecutor present evidence to prove they have probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime they were charged with,” Utah criminal defense attorney Trevor Terry wrote as a general explainer post in March 2025 and unrelated to this case.
Robinson is in the courtroom for the hearing as is Erika Kirk, the widow of the slain Turning Point USA leader. Charlie Kirk’s parents are also in attendance. However, Erika Kirk reportedly left the courtroom during at least one point.
Prior to the hearing, she released a statement on behalf of her in-laws and herself: “Out of respect for the judicial process, we will not be commenting further at this time,” she wrote on X. “We ask for continued privacy as we navigate this process and immense grief.”
Statement on behalf of Charlie Kirk's immediate family, his parents Robert and Kathryn, his wife, Erika, and his sister, Mary:
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…
— Erika Kirk (@MrsErikaKirk) July 6, 2026
The hearing involved multiple objections from the defense counsel to the testimony of police officer Chris Bagley. Robinson’s attorney objected to Bagley, a former Utah Valley University officer, identifying basic information such as the layout of a photo on campus as well as the photo of a screwdriver retrieved from the scene of the crime. Judge Tony Graf regularly overruled Robinson’s attorney.
Bagley, who is now a police officer elsewhere, testified to seeing Kirk get shot.
During the hearing, Robinson’s attorney Kathryn Nester questioned Bagley about his initial police report, including details brought up during his testimony that were not in those documents, such as the direction of the bullet.
She also questioned him about his body camera shutting off; he said the battery died and he had no other footage from that day.
David Hull, an investigator with Utah, was also questioned about evidence received during the investigation.
The defense and the prosecutors regularly wrangled throughout the hearing about the admissibility of videos and other evidence.
The hearing can be watched below.
