Preliminary hearing opens for Charlie Kirk's accused killer
A preliminary hearing opened in Utah on July 6 to determine whether Tyler James Robinson , 23, will stand trial for the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Prosecutors told the court they have extensive evidence and plan to seek the death penalty.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Trump, was fatally shot on September 10, 2025 at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem. At the hearing, prosecutors said they would call law enforcement witnesses and present dozens of exhibits, including surveillance footage, photos of the alleged weapon, ballistics evidence, and messages between Robinson and his roommate. Kirk’s widow and parents attended, seeing the defendant in person for the first time.
The hearing is expected to last up to five days. A preliminary hearing tests only whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial, not guilt, so its outcome sets the stage for a capital case rather than resolving it.