DAY 3 - Tyler Robinson Preliminary Hearing LIVE - Legal Analysis with Criminal Defense Attorney

We continue with the third day of the preliminary hearing, having now heard about the shooting, the initial investigation of the scene and the recovery of surveillance footage of the suspected shooter, as well as Robinson's voluntary surrender to police with the assistance of a family friend and his parents. An FBI DNA analyst has concluded that it is astronomically more likely that Lance Twiggs and Tyler Robinson contributed DNA to the towel wrapped around the gun and the screwdriver found on the roof of the Losee center than that Lance and an unknown, unrelated person contributed it. We also heard a lot of information about the limits of DNA analysis that won't affect the court's probable cause decision, but does give is a preview of more specific challenges to the science of the State's forensics that will be coming later in the case.

The preliminary hearing requires the State to present evidence supporting a reasonable belief that a crime was committed by the accused. The State's presentation starts today. We will watch the hearing live with minimal commentary while court is in session and talking about what we see during breaks in the hearing.

According to charging documents, Tyler Robinson filed a single shot from a .30-06 Mauser 98 rifle from the roof of the Losee Center at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, striking Charlie Kirk in the neck and killing him. The shooting was captured on multiple video cameras and surveillance video purportedly shows Robinson coming onto the UVU campus earlier in the day before returning, making his way to the roof of the Losee Center, and then jumping off the roof and fleeing immediately after the shooting. The rifle was recovered from a wooded area near campus. The State alleges Robinson's DNA is on the rifle as well as the roof of the Losee Center and other associated items. It also claims that bullet fragments and a partial bullet jacket fragment recovered during Charlie's autopsy are consistent with .30 caliber ammunition and toolmarks on the fragments could not exclude Robinson's rifle as the source.

Subsequently, the State contends that Robinson texted with his roommate and lover, Lance Twiggs, confessing to the shooting and describing his unsuccessful efforts to retrieve the gun. The following evening, after the FBI released surveillance stills of the shooter, Robinson's parents allegedly recognized him, confronted him, and ultimately convinced him to surrender to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Shortly before turning himself in, the State claims Robinson posted a message to Discord identifying himself as Charlie Kirk's shooter.

The defense has told the court it will call some of the State's forensic experts to testify. The defense is anticipated to challenge the basis for some of the forensic evidence, including the identification of Robinson's DNA from a complex mixture of five individuals.

Legal documents available on Substack

Charging document