A weeklong preliminary hearing for 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, who is accused of the September murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, was marked by heated debate on July 8. Legal teams in the Utah courtroom spent hours arguing over whether a police interview involving Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, should be made public. Authorities had granted Twiggs immunity in exchange for his testimony, meaning his statements cannot be used against him directly.
Prosecutors aimed to present the interview as evidence, but the defense team strongly opposed the move. Defense attorney Richard Novak argued that media presence would broadcast the contents globally, potentially prejudicing the case and violating Robinson’s right to a fair trial. Novak noted that while he respects the position of the Kirk family, the state would likely frame the interview as a confession. He emphasized that the primary concern of the proceeding must remain the defendant’s right to a fair trial, adding that the public would have to wait for a jury trial to hear certain evidence.
Representing the family of Charlie Kirk, attorney Jeffrey Neiman argued that keeping the evidence sealed would only foster distrust in the judicial system. “The Kirk family believes strongly that if the evidence is being admitted to this preliminary hearing, it should be made public for the world to see. No redactions,” Neiman stated. He argued that the court possesses the necessary tools to ensure a fair trial and that transparency is essential to maintaining public confidence in the process.
After weighing the competing interests of transparency and constitutional rights, Judge Tony Graf ruled that the prosecution must redact the video before it is played on July 9. The judge did not specify exactly how much of the footage would ultimately be released to the public, describing his decision as an “imperfect balancing act” aimed at serving the interests of justice.
The ongoing hearing serves to determine if there is probable cause for Robinson to face trial on charges of aggravated murder and other felonies. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray has expressed an intention to seek the death penalty. Earlier in the week, prosecutors presented graphic footage of the shooting and brought forth law enforcement witnesses, including former State Bureau of Investigation investigator David Hull. Hull testified that Robinson visited the campus multiple times on September 10 and 11, interacting with members of the organization Turning Point USA, and was seen approaching a wooded area where a rifle was later discovered.
The defense team has challenged the investigation’s focus, questioning officials on security protocols and the reliability of DNA evidence linked to items found on the campus roof. While the hearing features the presentation of evidence and cross-examination, it does not include a jury and will not determine guilt or innocence. Judge Graf is required to evaluate the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution to reach his decision. The proceedings are scheduled to conclude on July 10, though they have faced delays due to frequent arguments over evidence admissibility.
"There are some things which the Supreme Court has said: The public has to wait for the jury trial in order to hear evidence," he said. "With all due respect to the Kirk family, and will all due respect to the media, and with all due respect to the public, the No. 1 concern in this proceeding is Mr. Robinson’s right to
During the first part of the hearing on July 6 and July 7, prosecutors played, at times, graphic footage of Kirk's shooting and called law enforcement witnesses to support their claim that Robinson shot Kirk during a September event at Utah Valley University. Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder and other f
