The man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk told his roommate he 'wishes he hadn’t done it' the day after the shooting, according to a recording played in a Utah court on Thursday.
Preliminary Hearing Underway
Tyler Robinson, 23, appeared in court for the fourth day of the preliminary hearing, after which a judge will decide whether prosecutors have enough evidence to send the case to trial. Robinson is charged with aggravated murder and has not yet entered a plea.
Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump credited with mobilising young voters for the Republican Party in the 2024 election, was shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10. Robinson turned himself in the following day.
Roommate's Testimony
The court heard a recorded interview given to prosecutors by Robinson's former roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, on April 20. Robinson's lawyers had fought against the public release of Twiggs' statements, arguing that media broadcast would undermine Robinson’s right to a fair trial.
Prosecutors allege Robinson confessed in a note left for Twiggs, which read: 'I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.' Robinson also allegedly sent Twiggs a text message saying he targeted Kirk because he 'had enough of his hatred'.
Discord Messages
About an hour before turning himself in, Robinson posted 'it was me at UVU yesterday' in a Discord chat room, according to messages shown by prosecutors.
Twiggs was interviewed on September 12 and again on April 20, and was granted immunity for his statements, meaning they cannot be used against him in any criminal proceedings.
Next Steps
State District Judge Tony Graf is expected to decide at the end of this week's hearing whether there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Robinson’s lawyers have not commented on his guilt or innocence but have asked to remove the possibility of the death penalty.
Lawyers representing the media and Kirk’s widow, Erika, who attended the hearing, have urged the judge to make Twiggs' statements and other evidence public. Kirk family lawyer Jeffrey Neiman said on Wednesday: 'To not be transparent, to not be open and let the world see what happened will create doubt and distrust in the judicial system.'
Neiman filed a request for all evidence to be displayed openly and in real time during the hearing, stating that Erika Kirk and Kirk’s parents had waited 10 months but were at times denied the chance to meaningfully observe. Judge Graf responded that not all evidence would be displayed publicly, citing the need to protect the rights of both the victim's family and the defendant.
