Charlie Kirk family to attend key hearing in murder case against Tyler Robinson

Charlie Kirk’s parents and widow will sit in a Utah courtroom next week as prosecutors begin the first major evidentiary test in Tyler Robinson’s aggravated murder case. The weeklong preliminary hearing starts July 6 and will decide whether the state has enough evidence to move the killing of the Turning Point USA co-founder toward trial.

The hearing is the point in the case where prosecutors must show probable cause, not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Robinson, now 23, has not yet entered a plea.

Kirk was shot in the neck on September 10, 2025, while addressing a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University in Provo, Utah. Authorities arrested Robinson the next day after a brief statewide manhunt. Prosecutors have charged him with aggravated murder and intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.

In court, prosecutors will lay out forensic analyses, surveillance video, witness statements, autopsy findings and alleged messages from Robinson admitting to the killing. DNA consistent with Robinson’s was found on the trigger of the rifle, the fired cartridge casing, two unfired cartridges and a towel used to wrap the weapon.

One of the alleged messages at the center of the case was a note Robinson left for his romantic partner: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” That message, along with the other evidence, is part of the state’s effort to show the case should proceed to trial under Utah’s death-penalty process.

Erika Kirk, who took over leadership of Turning Point USA after her husband’s death last fall, said during his memorial service that she forgives the man accused of killing him. She has also pressed for public access to the court proceedings.