A five-day preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin Monday in Fourth District Court in Provo to decide if there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial for 23-year-old Tyler James Robinson. Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder related to the September 10, 2025, assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Fourth District Judge Tony Graf Jr. previously ruled that the hearing would be open to the media and the public. The Utah Supreme Court declined to disturb this decision and also allowed cameras in the courtroom.
During the hearing, prosecutors plan to present several pieces of evidence, including autopsy findings, investigator testimony, witness statements, and surveillance video of the shooting. They also intend to present DNA evidence that links Robinson to the suspected murder weapon.
Robinson faces up to 10 counts, including felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Prosecutors allege that Robinson left a note for a roommate and romantic partner stating he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk. They also claim text messages indicate he targeted Kirk because he had enough of his hatred.
Kirk, 31, was killed by a bolt-action rifle shot to the neck from approximately 142 yards away while speaking at an outdoor Turning Point USA event on the UVU campus.
The hearing is expected to continue through Friday and will address whether prosecutors can seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. An earlier ruling kept the death penalty as a possibility following a prosecutor being held in civil contempt for violating a pretrial publicity order.
Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, along with his parents Robert and Kathryn Kirk, are expected to attend parts of the hearing. The case has gained national attention due to Kirk's role as co-founder of Turning Point USA.
