by Sharon Rondeau
(Jul. 6, 2026) — At approximately 9:00 a.m. MDT/11:00 a.m. EDT Monday, Utah Fourth Judicial District Judge Tony F. Graf, Jr. opened a scheduled five-day preliminary hearing for the accused murderer of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson, now 23.
The Utah County prosecutor’s office is seeking the death penalty.
On September 10, 2025, Kirk was killed in front of approximately 3,000 rally-goers at Utah Valley University in Orem, UT, the first stop in a fall college campus “American Comeback” tour leading up to the annual “AmericaFest” conference held in Phoenix.
The preliminary hearing must establish that the prosecution possesses sufficient evidence to show probable cause after charging Robinson by “information” rather than by grand jury indictment, Fox News reported early Monday morning.
Graf began by announcing the hearing schedule for the week. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, he said, court will convene at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. A morning and afternoon 15-minute break and a one-hour lunch period would be observed each day, except for Wednesday, he said, when court will convene at 1:00 p.m.
Graf also declared his decision against journalists’ use of “handheld” video and audio equipment in the courtroom. He also expressed his observation that both the defense and prosecution have shown deep concern for pursuing fairness in the case and asked that both sides continue to exhibit the same level of professionalism going forward.
Several weeks ago, Graf rejected a defense motion by ruling cameras will be permitted in the courtroom for future hearings.
Monday is the first occasion on which Mr. Kirk’s widow Erika and other Kirk family members have attended a hearing in the case. According to Sandra Smith of Fox News, Robinson’s parents were seated “a couple of rows behind” the Kirk family.
The media is prohibited from airing footage of any family members, Smith added.
In his opening remarks, Graf stated that any exhibits presented by the prosecution will not be released to the media.
Donald Trump, Jr. is reportedly also in attendance. President Trump, Trump Jr. and his brother Eric have credited Kirk with playing a major role in Trump’s 2016 and 2024 election victories.
Robinson’s onetime roommate and reported romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, was granted limited immunity for a statement as to any knowledge he might have had of Robinson’s intent prior to the murder which was allegedly expressed in text messages made public over the months since Kirk’s life was taken.
Kirk, 31 at the time of his death, left behind his wife, parents, a sister, and two very young children.
During Monday’s hearing this writer observed three objections from the defense regarding the prosecution’s proposed exhibits, all of which Graf overruled.
The prosecution, represented by Chief Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander, announced two witnesses. The first was Spanish Fork, UT Officer Chris Bagley, formerly of the Utah Valley University Police Department, who provided in-depth details of the campus and the areas he patrolled while employed there for five years, including on the day of Kirk’s murder.