The preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, concluded without a ruling from Judge Tony Graf Jr. on July 11, 2026. The hearing, which lasted a week, presented various pieces of evidence related to the case. Robinson, 23, is charged with shooting Kirk, 31, during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
Judge Graf has permitted the defense to submit briefs before making a decision on whether the case should proceed to trial, extending the timeline by approximately six weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for September 1, 2026, just before the one-year anniversary of Kirk's death.
Throughout the hearing, several conspiracy theories surrounding the incident were addressed and largely debunked by the evidence presented. Testimony from Utah State Bureau of Investigation Agent David Hull confirmed Kirk's death as a homicide due to a gunshot wound to the neck, countering claims of alternative causes.
The forensic pathologist's findings indicated no inconsistencies with the conclusion of a gunshot wound, despite speculation regarding the absence of an exit wound. Retired FBI agent James Gagliano commented on the misconceptions surrounding ballistics, emphasizing the unpredictability of bullet trajectories.
Investigators also presented evidence linking Robinson to the crime scene, including surveillance footage and DNA found on a suspected murder weapon. The defense attempted to introduce unrelated weapons found nearby, but prosecutors maintained that the evidence strongly implicated Robinson.
Additional evidence included a Cellebrite extraction from Robinson's phone, which contained location data and communication records. The defense has not provided any evidence to support an alibi for Robinson during the time of the murder. The hearing also featured testimony from Lance Twiggs, Robinson's former roommate, which included discussions of messages that appeared to indicate guilt, although the defense sought to limit public access to this information.