Preliminary hearing in the Charlie Kirk case: Roommate describes Robinson's remorse after the act

The prosecution is seeking the death penalty. It argues that the act was planned and politically motivated, and that Robinson, with his shot from a distance of around 130 meters, put other event attendees in lethal danger. The prosecution presented DNA evidence allegedly linking Robinson to the murder weapon, as well as surveillance camera footage showing the shot and Robinson's alleged movements on the university campus.

The roommate's testimony

The central testimony in the preliminary hearing was the video-recorded witness statement from Lance Twiggs, with whom Robinson lived in a shared apartment and with whom he was in a romantic relationship. Twiggs testified that after the shooting, Robinson had "walked around a lot" in the apartment, had started crying, and said: "I wish I hadn't done it." The court also read out text messages in which Robinson had confessed to having targeted Kirk because he was "fed up with his hatred." Another message from Robinson to Twiggs read: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I will take it."

The victim's family was present in the courtroom. Kirk's parents and his widow Erika, who was accompanied by Donald Trump Jr., followed the testimony. Robinson has so far not entered a plea of guilty or not guilty. The preliminary hearing's task is to determine whether there is sufficient suspicion to proceed to the main trial against the now 23-year-old; a trial is not expected before 2027.

Investigations and family background

Investigators were able to arrest Robinson the day after the act under pressure from his parents. Initially, two other firearms were found on campus and other suspects were questioned. Robinson had been in contact with Turning Point USA even before the event.

Conspiracy theories and reactions

In addition to the evidence, the proceedings also addressed the political environment surrounding the act. Left-wing activists temporarily spread the false claim that Robinson was a Republican voter or even a Trump supporter. Kirk had described Israel's conduct in the Gaza war as "ethnic cleansing," which fueled conspiracy theories claiming Israel was behind the murder. Right-wing influencer Laura Loomer claimed, because of Robinson's relationship with Twiggs, that a "trans terror cell with further targets" was behind the act; former MAGA influencer Candice Owens said Robinson was obviously not the murderer but rather a "naïve person and scapegoat." Texas podcaster Kelli Rabon spread the thesis that Kirk's death had been staged.

In Utah, the death penalty can only be imposed when aggravating circumstances are present. Even after a guilty verdict, the jury would have to unanimously impose the death penalty in a separate decision.

In the United States, the act sparked a broad debate about political violence. Observers see the preliminary hearing as a first evidentiary test for the prosecution's case; a verdict in the main trial is not expected before early 2027 at the earliest.