Tyler Robinson case: Defense set to attack ballistics evidence as preliminary hearing wraps up
Tyler Robinson's preliminary hearing enters its fifth and final day Friday, with his defense team expected to its last witnesses before both sides rest. Prosecutors have said they don't plan to call any rebuttal witnesses, setting up closing arguments as Judge Tony Graf weighs whether the case will move to trial.
Charlie Kirk’s family breaks down as court plays video of alleged assassin
An emotional silence fell over the courtroom Friday as prosecutors played an enhanced video compilation showing the moments leading up to Charlie Kirk’s assassination during Day 5 of Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, and his mother, Kathy Kirk, cried and leaned into one another as the video played. Both women hugged and held tissues while seated with family, friends and supporters in the courtroom.
Kathy Kirk later turned to embrace her husband, Robert Kirk, with a tissue held to her face. Erika Kirk’s sister, Tonya, reached over to comfort her with a hand on her back.
At one point, an investigator seated with the family retrieved a trash can for used tissues.
The courtroom was largely silent as the video played. Robinson did not appear to watch the video with the monitor at his table turned off, and he appeared to look down and straight ahead rather than toward the screen.
Earlier Friday, Judge Tony Graf sanctioned media members after an exhibit was inadvertently shown and broadcast during Thursday’s proceedings. Graf said he did not want to “rush or make snap decisions” before ruling that no further exhibits would be shown for the rest of the day, though the final video compilation was later allowed as an exception.
Tyler Robinson’s family exits court after final day of preliminary hearing
Tyler Robinson’s family left the Fourth Judicial District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, Friday afternoon after the final day of his preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk assassination case.
The case is set to continue Sept. 1 at 10 a.m., when attorneys are expected to present oral arguments before Judge Tony Graf decides whether there is probable cause to send Robinson to trial.
Charlie Kirk’s family leaves court after final day of preliminary hearing
Charlie Kirk’s family left the Fourth Judicial District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, Friday after the final day of Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing in the assassination case.
The case is set to continue Sept. 1 at 10 a.m., when attorneys are expected to present oral arguments before Judge Tony Graf decides whether there is probable cause to send the case to trial.
Kirk family demands judge move case toward trial: ‘No further delay’
Charlie Kirk’s family is urging a Utah judge to move the assassination case against alleged killer Tyler Robinson forward without delay, arguing the five-day preliminary hearing produced “overwhelming evidence” against him.
In a court filing submitted on behalf of Erika Kirk and his parents, the family asked Judge Tony Graf to issue his probable cause decision no later than Sept. 1.
“A prompt determination is imperative in the interest of justice,” the filing says.
The family noted that the case is nearing the one-year anniversary of Kirk’s death and that Robinson has been under arrest for 10 months.
“The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, and he must receive one,” the family’s attorneys wrote in Friday's filing. “He is not, however, entitled to cause undue delay in the criminal justice process.”
The filing argues that the Kirk family is independently entitled under Utah law to a speedy resolution “free from unwarranted delay” caused by Robinson.
Graf is expected to hear oral arguments Sept. 1 before deciding whether prosecutors have established probable cause for a jury trial.
What comes next in the Charlie Kirk assassination case?
The Charlie Kirk assassination case will return to court Sept. 1 at 10 a.m., when attorneys are expected to deliver oral arguments before Judge Tony Graf issues his decision.
After those arguments, Graf will decide whether prosecutors have established probable cause to send the case against Tyler Robinson to trial.
The ruling will mark the next major step in the case against the accused assassin after five days of preliminary hearing testimony.
Robinson declined to testify Friday after five days of testimony and evidence.
Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, listens as Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride speaks during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, at the 4th District Court in Provo on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Kirk family says preliminary hearing marks ‘important step forward’ in pursuit of justice
Charlie Kirk’s family issued a statement after the conclusion of Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing, saying the proceedings marked “an important step forward in the pursuit of justice for Charlie.”
“Our family is grateful for the prayers, support, and kindness that has been extended to us, especially through these unimaginably painful and emotionally demanding proceedings,” the family said.
The family added that while the hearing was difficult, they found comfort in knowing “the world has witnessed the overwhelming evidence of what occurred to Charlie that day.”
“Nothing will ever undo the loss of our beloved Charlie,” the statement continued. “As this case moves into its next phase, we pray that truth will continue to be heard through a process that is fair, transparent, and grounded in the facts.”
Kirk family pastor speaks on pain during preliminary hearing
Judge denies Robinson defense demand to remove broadcast cameras from courtroom, but issues sanction
Judge Tony Graf denied a motion by Tyler Robinson's defense team to ban broadcast cameras from the courtroom during the preliminary hearing but issued a sanction.
Defense attorneys for Robinson asked Graf to ban broadcast cameras from the courtroom after briefly displaying a piece of evidence that wasn't authorized to be used by media outside the courtroom.
While Graf didn't ban broadcast cameras from the courtroom, he said media could no longer capture or broadcast evidence shown in court on Friday.
"Effective immediately, members of the media shall no longer capture or broadcast any exhibits displayed by the parties during today's proceedings. The court finds this sanction to be proportional and appropriate in light of the violation of the court's prior order," Graf said.
Tyler Robinson's defense team asks judge to ban broadcast cameras from courtroom
Tyler Robinson defense attorney Richard Novak asked Judge Tony Graf to ban broadcast cameras from the courtroom.
Novak's request follows an incident Thursday where the broadcast camera inside the courtroom briefly displayed evidence that wasn't authorized to be broadcasted.
Tyler Robinson hearing: Top moments from explosive Lance Twiggs interview played in court
PROVO, Utah — The former lover of Charlie Kirk’s accused assassin told Utah prosecutors that the suspected killer "wishes he hadn't done it," according to a video played in court Thursday.
"I just asked him in person if what he said was true the night before, and he said it was, started crying a little bit and said he wishes he hadn't done it," Lance Twiggs told investigators in a video interview.
The night before, according to text messages prosecutors displayed later, Robinson allegedly took credit for Kirk's shooting in a conversation with Twiggs.
The video was played on the fourth day of Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing — a procedural step to determine whether the case can go to trial.
Click here to read more on Fox News.
Tyler Robinson's defense team arrives for final day of preliminary hearing
Tyler Robinson's defense team arrived to the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, on Friday morning ahead of the preliminary hearing's last day.
Robinson's defense team is expected to call ATF Agent Samantha Karner to the stand, who's expected to discuss ballistics.
Tyler Robinson's family enters court ahead of preliminary hearing day 5
Tyler Robinson's family could be seen arriving to court ahead of the final day of preliminary hearings.
His defense team is expected to call one final witness, ATF Agent Samantha Karner, who's will likely discuss ballistics evidence.
Charlie Kirk's family arrives to court before final day of Tyler Robinson's preliminary hearing
Charlie Kirk's family arrived to court in Provo, Utah, ahead of the final day of Tyler Robinson's preliminary hearing, where the defense is expected to argue about ballistics.
Tyler Robinson seen entering court ahead of preliminary hearing's last day
Tyler Robinson was seen arriving at the Provo, Utah, courthouse in a heavily armored truck before the final day of his preliminary hearing.
His defense team will call one final witness, ATF Agent Samantha Karner, who's expected to discuss ballistics evidence.
Live Coverage begins here