The preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old man accused of murdering Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, entered its fourth day on Thursday, and it's been a difficult week for the many interested parties who have had to hear the painful details of what happened that day on the campus of Utah Valley University (UVU).
Charlie's widow, Erika Kirk, and his parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, have been in the 4th District Courthouse courtroom in Provo, Utah, the entire week – although they have stepped out on at least one occasion when particularly graphic evidence was being presented. Donald Trump, Jr., was present for Monday's hearing, showing the close bond Charlie had with the Trump family.
The Kirk family issued a statement before the first day of hearings got underway on Monday:
"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. 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. Out of respect for the judicial process, we will not be commenting further at this time. We ask for continued privacy as we navigate this process and immense grief."
It's important to note that the purpose of the preliminary hearing is for the prosecution to present its evidence against the accused and for the judge to determine if it's sufficient to warrant a full criminal trial. In other words, Tyler Robinson's guilt or innocence is not decided at this point.
In addition to hearing from the prosecution, defense, and various witnesses – most of them, so far, local law enforcement who responded to or investigated the shooting – the court has heard sporadically from Erika Kirk's lawyer and counsel for the media.
Charlie Kirk Murder: Accused Assassin Apparently Confessed to Boyfriend Lance Twiggs
A recurring theme in the preliminary hearing thus far has been whether or not the evidence being presented should be made public, with the Kirk family's counsel arguing to make all of it public and defense counsel trying to block that. During the hearing, the judge has had the option to not release the evidence, release it only to persons in the courtroom, or to allow the designated cameraman to broadcast the evidence as its presented.
One of the most jaw-dropping moments to emerge happened on the first day when Judge Tony Graf viewed a video of the shooting taken from close behind Charlie. Graf was the only one in the courtroom who could see the footage, and the sound was muted out of sensitivity to the Kirk family, but his reaction says everything.
#BREAKING: Judge visibly flinches at new footage of Charlie Kirk’s shooting during Tyler Robinson’s hearing. pic.twitter.com/DywysgbS11
— Insider Wire (@InsiderWire) July 6, 2026
Much of the evidence presented by the prosecution has already been seen by the public prior to Robinson's hearing:
- Video showing a man who appears to be Robinson moving around the UVU campus the morning of the shooting;
- Video of a man who appears to be Robinson on the campus just prior to the shooting wearing different clothes and walking with an odd gait; and,
- Texts supposedly sent by Robinson to his roommate and boyfriend, Lance Twiggs, admitting his guilt.
The hearing is expected to conclude on Friday; then we will learn if Tyler Robinson will stand trial for the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Charlie, of course, was an inspiration and friend to many, in addition to being a treasured and much-missed colleague of ours here at Salem Media. We will be bringing you all the latest on justice for Charlie.
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