Preliminary Hearing for Tyler Robinson
During a recent preliminary hearing, video footage was presented showcasing Lance Twiggs, Tyler Robinson’s former roommate and partner, discussing Robinson’s immediate regret following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The recorded testimony revealed Robinson expressing sorrow, stating that he “wishes he hadn’t done it.” When Twiggs confronted him about previous messages, Robinson confirmed their authenticity.
“He started crying a little bit and said he wishes he hadn’t done it,” Twiggs recounted. Robinson then began pacing restlessly, seemingly to distract himself from the situation. Twiggs mentioned that soon after, Robinson left the apartment, saying he intended to turn himself in and wouldn’t want to be there “regardless of what went down.”
Robinson surrendered to authorities on September 12.
This testimony comes after U.S. District Judge Tony Graf permitted the use of the interview with Twiggs in court, albeit with some edits.
During the hearing, prosecutor Ryan McBride was seen questioning Twiggs, who is now 22, about his interactions with Robinson, currently 23. These discussions took place both through text and in person after the shooting on September 10, 2025.
Twiggs detailed Robinson’s return to their shared apartment in St. George, Utah, the following morning after the incident. He noted that Robinson was “walking around a lot” and confirmed in person what he had previously acknowledged through text, responding “I am, I’m sorry” when asked directly about his guilt in the murder.
Despite that, Twiggs remarked, Robinson “didn’t go into detail…”
Twiggs met Robinson in person in 2023, having known him for longer. They reportedly began a relationship a few months after Robinson moved in. Twiggs mentioned that about a month before Kirk was killed, Robinson had asked him for a Dremel.
A Dremel refers to a brand of handheld power tools, commonly used for detailed crafting, cutting, and engraving.
“I don’t remember exactly when, but he had said he was planning to go hunting with his family and he asked me… if we had a Dremel, because he said he wanted to engrave messages on bullets,” Twiggs recalled.
When asked about discussions on politics and gender identity, Twiggs shared that Robinson brought up President Donald Trump and his policies, though he didn’t elaborate much. He did mention that he referred to himself as “Luna,” a name associated with his gender identity, only with certain individuals.
Notably, Twiggs appeared in the courtroom dressed in a masculine blue suit and tie.
Later in the interview, Twiggs said Robinson had stayed at their apartment on the night of September 9 but couldn’t pinpoint the exact time of his departure the following morning, suggesting it might have been around 4:00 a.m.
McBride probed further into personal text messages exchanged between Twiggs and Robinson, messages sent via Discord, and a handwritten note that Twiggs claimed was left by Robinson prior to the shooting. He explained that he had taken a picture of the note before leaving it on the desk where he found it.
Twiggs, who is not facing any charges himself, received limited immunity for his testimony from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Utah County Attorney’s Office.
