A five-day preliminary hearing on whether to try Tyler Robinson for the alleged assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk concluded Friday with State District Judge Tony Graf now holding a significant body of evidence that could lead to capital punishment.
During proceedings, prosecutors presented a zoomed-in version of video footage allegedly depicting Robinson crawling to what was described as a “sniper’s perch.” However, the footage was not publicly broadcast due to a Thursday court order violation by a media cameraman who accidentally aired an exhibit—a handwritten note purportedly written by Robinson to Twiggs.
The evidence had previously been disclosed via a March search warrant, but defense objections caused the violation to dominate much of Friday’s hearing. Robinson chose not to testify and has not entered a plea.
Robinson faces charges of aggravated murder (a capital first-degree felony), felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, two counts of obstruction of justice (a second-degree felony), and two counts of witness tampering for allegedly instructing his boyfriend to delete text messages and remain silent if questioned by police.
The hearing will resume on September 1 for final arguments before Judge Graf, who must decide whether to proceed with capital punishment charges against Robinson.
