Prosecutors began laying out their evidence in a Utah courtroom Monday in the case against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year.
Kirk’s parents, Robert and Kathryn, and his widow Erika, attended the proceedings after posting a statement on X, reading:
“Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father. Every court proceeding serves as a painful reminder of his death and the loss that has irrevocably impacted our lives and the lives of his children.
We remain deeply grateful for the support, prayers, and kindness we have received. This outpouring has sustained us during the darkest days of our lives.
Out of respect for the judicial process, we will not be commenting further at this time. We ask for continued privacy as we navigate this process and immense grief.”
The preliminary hearing in Robinson’s case is expected to last for the entire week, and it is being livestreamed. The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether there is enough evidence against Robinson to proceed to trial.
WATCH | Charlie Kirk's widow to face husband's alleged killer for first time
Campus police officer describes finding evidence of a rooftop sniper
The first witness called by the prosecution Monday was Officer Christopher Bagley. Bagley said he currently works for Spanish Fork police, but at the time of the shooting he was a campus police officer at Utah Valley University.
Bagley testified he was working an overtime shift during Kirk’s appearance at the university. He testified he was watching as Kirk was answering a question from an audience member and a gunshot rang out. He saw Kirk move to the left and then his body dropped out of his view.
The officer described leaving his post after he recognized the sound of gunfire. He described the chaos of event attendees running up stairs as he tried to run down. He said he quickly heard over the radio that the shooter was in custody, and saw a pistol holster on the ground. He said he believed the gunfire sounded like it came from a rifle rather than a pistol.
Bagley proceeded to check the roof of a building on campus. He said he spotted a screwdriver on the roof and imprints in the gravel that led him to believe a sniper laying in a prone position may have shot Kirk from atop the building.
“Then I realized we probably didn’t have our shooter in custody,” he said.
He said he viewed surveillance video which recorded someone on top of the roof who ran and dropped off the edge of the building.
One of Robinson’s defense attorneys briefly cross-examined Bagley before the courtroom broke for lunch. Her early questions focused on the security measures in place for the event. Bagley answered that there were no metal detectors used to screen the crowd and no drones being used to watch the area.
Prosecutors said they planned to call three more law enforcement officers to testify on Monday.
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Evidence videos discussed during afternoon testimony
The second prosecution witness called Monday was David Hull, who led the Utah State Bureau of Investigation’s investigation of the Kirk killing.
Hull’s testimony largely revolved around video evidence in the case. The investigator said surveillance video showed Robinson’s vehicle on campus and in the neighborhood near UVU in the hours before, during, and after the killing.
Prosecutors also introduced several videos recorded by witnesses of the shooting, which were played in court but did not appear on the hearing livestream per the judge’s order.
Testimony is expected to resume Tuesday morning.
