Judge finds probable cause in Charlie Kirk murder case

A Utah judge ruled Tuesday that Tyler Robinson will stand trial for the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a decision that could expose the 23-year-old defendant to the death penalty if convicted. Utah District Judge Tony Graf found that prosecutors had shown probable cause to believe Robinson shot and killed Kirk, who was 31, as he spoke at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.

"Viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, this evidence is sufficient at this stage to support a reasonable belief that defendant is the individual who shot and killed Charlie Kirk," Graf said from the bench, according to the Washington Examiner. He added that the state had demonstrated probable cause as to the identity and homicide elements of the aggravated murder charge.

The preliminary hearing, which spanned several days in July before closing arguments on Tuesday, was not intended to determine guilt or innocence, Graf noted. He reiterated that his ruling was not a definitive finding of guilt, which would be left to a jury at trial.

Prosecutors cite 'mountain of evidence'

Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride told the court that a "mountain of evidence" links Robinson to the shooting, including video footage, DNA evidence, and alleged confessions. "On September 10, 2025, the defendant Tyler James Robinson shot and killed Charlie Kirk because he disagreed with him," McBride said.

McBride described security footage that he said showed Robinson scouting the campus in the clothes he was later wearing when he turned himself in, then returning "dressed to kill." According to prosecutors, Robinson climbed onto a rooftop, fired the fatal shot at 12:23 , and then fled into a wooded area where a rifle was later found wrapped in a towel. McBride said Robinson's DNA was found "all over that gun."

Jennifer Faumuina, a witness, testified that FBI testing found DNA on the towel and a screwdriver that likely came from Robinson and Lance Twiggs. Robinson allegedly admitted the shooting to Twiggs and in an online chat. Text messages read by agent Brian Davis included Robinson saying, "I am, I'm sorry" and "I had enough of his hatred, some hate can't be negotiated out." Twiggs reportedly told investigators that Robinson confirmed the shooting and said he wished he hadn't done it.

Prosecutors also argued that Robinson's motive was Kirk's criticism of same-sex relationships, citing messages on ammunition. They emphasized that Robinson fired into a crowd of thousands, creating a "great risk of death" to bystanders. "You can't shoot a rifle into a crowd of 3,000 people and not know that you are posing a significant risk of death," prosecutors argued, as reported by CBS News.

The judge's ruling allows the case to proceed on all seven charges, including first-degree murder. Robinson, who turned himself in a day after the shooting, pleaded not guilty through his attorney to all charges, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Post.

Defense challenges evidence and death penalty eligibility

Robinson's defense attorneys sought to block the trial, arguing that prosecutors failed to prove that the shooting endangered others — an aggravating factor required for the death penalty. Defense attorney Staci Visser argued there was no evidence that anyone other than Kirk was threatened. Michael Burt, another defense attorney, challenged the DNA evidence, saying analysts could only determine Robinson as a "possible contributor" to the DNA found. Richard Novak argued that the witness tampering charge should be dropped, calling the advice he allegedly gave to a roommate "altruistic," and maintained that the state failed to prove Robinson knew a child was present or that he targeted Kirk for his political beliefs.

Defense attorneys also cast doubt on the ballistics evidence, questioning the scientific methods and error rates used in the analysis, as reported by several outlets including Aberdeen News and the Gainesville Sun.

Family statement

Kirk's family released a statement Tuesday, calling the ruling "an important step in our family's pursuit of justice for him." The statement continued, "Every step in this process carries the weight of all that Charlie's murder has taken from his family, especially his children who will grow up without their father. We are grateful to all who have continued to pray for us, support us, and stand with us through a year of unimaginable grief."

Robinson's family sat in the front of the Provo courtroom with Kirk's parents and widow Erika seated in the back, as KUTV observed, reported the New York Post.

What's next

Robinson faces a potential sentence of death, life in prison without parole, or 25 years to life with parole on the aggravated murder charge, according to CBS News. Additional charges, including obstruction of justice and felony discharge of a firearm, carry separate penalties. The case now moves toward trial, where a jury will ultimately decide Robinson's guilt.