Tyler Robinson's 5-Day Hearing Opens in Charlie Kirk Murder Case as Utah Weighs Death Penalty
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jul 6
Tyler Robinson's 5-Day Hearing Opens in Charlie Kirk Murder Case as Utah Weighs Death Penalty
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jul 6
Summary
A five-day preliminary hearing opened Monday in Utah to decide whether 23-year-old Tyler Robinson should stand trial on aggravated murder charges in Charlie Kirk's Sept. 10 killing.
Prosecutors say they will present DNA tying Robinson to the rifle, autopsy findings, witness accounts, video of the shooting and texts and a note alleging he planned to kill Kirk because he had "enough of his hatred."
Judge Tony Graf must decide only whether reasonable grounds exist to move the case forward, a lower bar than the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard required at trial.
Death penalty eligibility turns on aggravating circumstances, with prosecutors arguing the shooting at Utah Valley University endangered others in the crowd; Utah allows execution by lethal injection or firing squad.
Charlie Kirk's widow Erika Kirk and his parents are expected in the livestreamed proceeding after Graf rejected a defense bid to restrict public and media access.
With DNA and digital confessions, why can't the fatal bullet be matched to the murder weapon? Could this one detail unravel the entire case?
A lover's handwritten confession note is the prosecution's ace. What happens to their 'slam dunk' case if this star witness's credibility is destroyed?