Judge Tony Graf Weighs Tyler Robinson Murder Trial After 5-Day Hearing

Q: What did a former partner's testimony reveal about the suspect's alleged confession and remorse?

The former partner’s testimony indicated that Tyler James Robinson allegedly confessed repeatedly and showed regret soon afterward. According to Lance Twiggs, Robinson sent him text messages after the shooting admitting responsibility, including, “I am. I’m sorry,” when asked if he was the one who did it. Twiggs also said Robinson explained his motive in a message saying he had “had enough of his hatred.” Prosecutors also presented a note Robinson allegedly left behind that said, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” along with a message to Twiggs expressing love and saying he wished events had not been necessary. Twiggs testified that the next day Robinson confirmed in person that the confession was true. He said Robinson appeared distressed, paced nervously around their apartment, cried, and told him he wished he had not done it. Twiggs also said Robinson talked about confessing to his parents or turning himself in, which prosecutors say he later did. That testimony was presented as key evidence at the preliminary hearing, alongside forensic and video evidence, to support prosecutors’ argument that there is probable cause for the case to go to trial.

3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 10

Five days of testimony ended Friday in Tyler James Robinson’s preliminary hearing, leaving Judge Tony Graf to decide in coming weeks whether prosecutors have shown enough evidence to send the murder case to trial.
DNA evidence tied Robinson to the gun prosecutors say killed Charlie Kirk, and video shown in court allegedly placed him entering Utah Valley University and climbing to a rooftop before the September 2025 shooting.
Lance Twiggs — Robinson’s former roommate and romantic partner — told investigators Robinson said he wished he “hadn’t done it” the day after Kirk’s death; portions of that interview were played in court.
Defense lawyers focused on challenging the DNA testing and raised questions about a possible guilty plea, while Graf repeatedly urged them to stay focused on probable cause rather than broader trial theories.
The hearing also brought Kirk’s widow and parents into the courtroom with the accused for the first time since the killing of the Turning Point USA founder during a campus event in Utah.