Tyler Robinson Preliminary Hearing Day 3: Roommate's Account and the Unfired Bullet

Trial of Tyler Robinson Begins in Provo

The preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, who is charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, commenced on Monday in Provo, Utah.

Throughout the trial, which Charlie Kirk’s family, including his parents and widow Erica, have been attending daily, the focus has primarily been on the admissibility of evidence and whether sufficient grounds exist for a jury trial. The fourth day of hearings is set to start on Thursday at 9 a.m. MDT, and today’s proceedings mainly centered on the testimony of Lance Twiggs.

Key Developments from Day Three

On Wednesday, during the public hearing, significant updates were noted, starting with the testimony from Lance Twiggs, Robinson’s roommate. The court has decided to allow Twiggs’ entire testimony for deliberation, although about 17 minutes from his 37-minute statement will not be aired publicly. The remaining testimony will be presented in court on Thursday morning.

The defense has raised concerns that much of the footage comprises responses from McBride, the state’s attorney, paired with Twiggs’ agreement, rather than Twiggs’ original comments. They contend that parts of the video lack relevance and could be biased against Robinson. The defense also views the media’s ability to broadcast Twiggs’ testimony as a breach of Robinson’s constitutional rights, which led to some redactions by the court.

Text Messages Under Scrutiny

Prosecutors have indicated that more text messages and Discord conversations will be released than were initially filed. The defense argues that this action infringes upon Robinson’s constitutional rights, asserting that publicizing these messages could compromise his 14th Amendment due process rights, referencing Supreme Court cases. The case is presently being processed in Utah District Court.

The involved parties are preparing legal documents concerning the admissibility of five screenshots. A decision on this matter is expected on Thursday morning to expedite proceedings.

Unexploded Bullet Discovered

During the hearing, it was revealed that an unexploded bullet was located at the crime scene. Kirk was found at an angle that did not correspond with where he was seated. This bullet, a .223 caliber, could not be fired from a Mauser 98 but was likely from a modified 30-06 barrel believed to be the weapon used in the incident. Previous testimonies confirmed that the bullet matched those of the officer’s firearm and is common among police rifles.

Kirk Family Legal Representation

On Wednesday, lawyers representing the Kirk family presented their case for making all evidence public, emphasizing the need for transparency to uphold trust in the judicial system. The family’s attorney remarked that if evidence is deemed admissible during the preliminary hearing, it should be accessible to the public, stating, “Editing is prohibited.” They believe withholding information fosters suspicion regarding the justice system.