Preliminary hearings are continuing this week for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of fatally shooting Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during a campus event at Utah Valley University nearly 10 months ago. As prosecutors continue presenting evidence, Judge Tony Graf Jr. has issued several key rulings that will shape the course of the proceedings.
On Wednesday, Judge Graf denied a request from Kirk’s family to publicly display all exhibits introduced during the hearing, including what prosecutors have described as a confession made by Lance Twiggs, Robinson’s romantic partner. The ruling means that some evidence presented during the preliminary hearing will not be released for public viewing at this stage of the case.
Earlier in the week, investigators presented testimony regarding forensic evidence recovered after the September 10, 2025, shooting. Jennifer Faumina, a sergeant with the Utah Department of Public Safety who was assigned to the State Bureau of Investigation during the investigation, testified about DNA analysis conducted on items recovered from the crime scene.
According to Faumina, forensic testing identified DNA belonging to Lance Twiggs on two significant pieces of evidence. She testified that one item contained DNA from two individuals, including Twiggs, and the same conclusion was reached for a second item.
Court testimony identified those items as a screwdriver recovered from the rooftop of the Losee Center for Student Success and a towel wrapped around the rifle prosecutors allege was used in the fatal shooting. Prosecutors presented the DNA evidence as part of their effort to establish the sequence of events surrounding the attack.
The preliminary hearing moved forward after the Utah Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal filed by Robinson’s defense attorneys. The appeal challenged two pretrial rulings issued by Judge Graf, including his decisions to allow cameras in the courtroom and to permit certain hearsay evidence during the preliminary hearing.
In its order, the Utah Supreme Court denied the petition seeking permission to appeal the interlocutory rulings and dismissed the defense’s request to stay the proceedings, allowing the hearing to continue as scheduled.
Disputes over media coverage have remained a recurring issue throughout the case. Defense attorneys previously sought a blanket prohibition on cameras during court proceedings, arguing that electronic media coverage could affect Robinson’s right to a fair trial. Judge Graf rejected that request, instead establishing a process requiring news organizations to apply individually for permission to use cameras or other electronic equipment before each hearing.
Under the judge’s order, media organizations must submit requests at least 14 days before scheduled proceedings, while either prosecutors or defense attorneys may seek restrictions on coverage. Judge Graf retains final authority over whether cameras will be permitted.
Ahead of this week’s hearing, the defense again requested that cameras be barred from the courtroom. Judge Graf denied nearly all of those requests, granting only one motion after determining that a media outlet seeking to take still photographs had submitted its application one day after the court’s filing deadline.
The preliminary hearing is expected to continue throughout the week as prosecutors present additional witnesses and evidence. The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to establish probable cause for the charges against Robinson, allowing the case to proceed to trial. The hearing is not intended to determine guilt or innocence, which would be decided by a jury if the case moves forward.
