Four days into the preliminary hearing, Tyler Robinson’s lawyers attacked DNA evidence tying the 23-year-old to the suspected murder weapon and cartridge-etching tool, arguing transfer by a third party is possible.
ATF forensic biologist Caitlin Oliver acknowledged DNA is not “infallible” and has no “zero error rate,” but prosecutors said the overall case remains “overwhelming” and enough to send Robinson to trial.
Surveillance video shown in court appeared to show Robinson on a Utah Valley University rooftop before a single shot killed Charlie Kirk, 31, during his Sept. 10 speech; Kirk’s family watched emotionally from the gallery.
Prosecutors also pointed to apparent confessions: Robinson allegedly told roommate Lance Twiggs he wished he had not done it, then posted “it was me at UVU yesterday” on Discord about an hour before surrendering.
Judge Tony Graf is set to hear closing arguments on Sept. 1 before deciding whether the aggravated murder case—potentially death-penalty eligible—will advance to trial.