Preliminary hearing begins for Tyler Robinson, accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah
A week-long court hearing has begun in Utah for a man accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Associated Press reports.
Preliminary hearing begins for Tyler Robinson, accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah
A seven-day preliminary hearing has started in the US state of Utah against 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, who stands accused in the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors are seeking to convince the court that they hold sufficient evidence to proceed to a full trial. This was reported by BTA, citing the Associated Press.
The incident in which Kirk was fatally shot took place last September on the campus of Utah Valley University. According to the charges, Robinson committed murder under circumstances that qualify as aggravating factors.
For the first time, the victim's parents and his wife, Erika Kirk, were present in the courtroom. This marks the first occasion that Charlie Kirk's family has been in the same courtroom as the accused in Utah. The proceedings are being broadcast live.
During a recess, Judge Tony Graf discussed with attorneys the order in which physical evidence would be presented in court. Former university police officer Chris Begley began testifying about Kirk's arrival on campus on the day of the shooting.
The victim's mother, Kathryn, clutched a packet of tissues while listening to the testimony with her eyes closed. Erika Kirk also listened to the witness accounts, leaning her head on the shoulder of the woman seated next to her throughout.
The accused, Tyler Robinson, sat silently between his lawyers, dressed in a gray suit, pale pink shirt, and waist chains. He occasionally took notes while reviewing the evidence shown on monitors.
Prosecutors allege that Robinson sent a text message confession to his partner, leaving a note stating that he had the opportunity to kill one of the country's leading conservative figures and that he "would use it." However, he has not yet entered a plea of guilty or not guilty in the case.
In Utah, the death penalty is only permitted under aggravating circumstances. The defense, meanwhile, maintains that the shooting endangered the lives of other people present in the area.
Once the hearing concludes, District Attorney Tony Graf must decide whether the case will move forward to a full trial.
Source: Bulgarian News Agency (BTA)