Erika Kirk Sobs In Court As She And Don Trump Jr Attend Tyler Robinson’s Preliminary Hearing

Charlie Kirk’s widow fled nan courtroom Monday arsenic prosecutors began to laic retired their lawsuit against Tyler Robinson astatine a proceeding that was besides attended by Donald Trump’s son.

Prosecutors will effort to person a judge this week that Robinson should guidelines proceedings successful past year's sidesplitting of Charlie Kirk, nan blimpish activistic credited pinch energizing young voters down Trump successful nan 2024 statesmanlike election.

After nan week-long preliminary hearing, District Court Judge Tony Graf will determine if there’s capable grounds against Robinson, 23, who is accused of firing nan azygous changeable that killed Kirk, 31, connected September 10, 2025.

The influential blimpish was appearing astatine Utah Valley University successful Orem, 40 miles (65 km) southbound of Salt Lake City, for 1 of his field debates that drew crowds and propelled him to nationalist prominence.

Charlie’s widow, Erika Kirk, began crying earlier nan proceeding started and she near nan courtroom arsenic a constabulary serviceman described really Charlie was shot. Don Trump Jr. is besides attending nan proceeding pinch his wife.

If nan judge finds probable cause, Robinson would participate a plea astatine an arraignment that could return spot nan aforesaid day, and nan lawsuit would beryllium group for proceedings astatine a later date. He faces 7 criminal charges including aggravated murder.

Prosecutors person said they would activity nan decease punishment for Robinson, who was studying to beryllium an electrician and turned himself successful to constabulary nan time aft nan shooting.

Kirk's killing, captured successful schematic cellphone video that dispersed wide connected societal media, followed a bid of attacks targeting U.S. governmental figures successful caller years and fueled statement complete governmental unit successful a profoundly polarized country.

Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA erstwhile he was 18 successful 2012, and nan blimpish younker statement became an influential unit successful Republican politics.

During nan hearing, prosecutors were expected to coming video footage that they allege shows Robinson astatine Utah Valley University earlier and aft Kirk was shot.

The prosecution besides planned to connection different grounds that it alleges links Robinson to nan crime, including DNA from nan firearm authorities opportunity was utilized successful nan killing, a recorded connection from Robinson's roommate and a handwritten connection reading, "I had nan opportunity to return retired Charlie Kirk and I took it."

Lawyers for Robinson are apt to item ballistics testing that proved inconclusive successful matching a slug part removed from Kirk's assemblage pinch nan alleged execution weapon.

Erika Kirk attends hearing

Kirk's wife, Erika Kirk, has taken complete Turning Point USA and will beryllium coming successful nan Provo courtroom for nan hearings, on pinch Kirk's parents.

"Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father. Every tribunal proceeding serves arsenic a achy reminder of his decease and nan nonaccomplishment that has irrevocably impacted our lives and nan lives of his children," Kirk's parents, woman and sister said successful a connection earlier nan proceeding connected Monday.

"We stay profoundly grateful for nan support, prayers, and kindness we person received. This outpouring has sustained america during nan darkest days of our lives."

The defense unsuccessfully tried to prohibition livestream tv and photography of nan proceedings, arguing they were fueling sensational media coverage. Erika Kirk has called for cameras to beryllium allowed successful nan courtroom to guarantee transparency.

Robinson surrendered to constabulary aft his parents saw images of nan gunman and confronted him, according to tribunal filings.