OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
10:44 AM – Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Judge Tony Graf, who is overseeing the five-day preliminary hearing for 23-year-old Tyler Robinson, accused killer of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, appeared to flinch while viewing footage of the assassination.
On Monday, the first day of the hearing, prosecutors showed several videos from September 10, 2025, the day the 31-year-old conservative activist was killed at Utah Valley University (UVU). The footage shown in the Provo, Utah, courtroom was not revealed to the public.
Kirk’s family, including his parents and his widow, Erika, voluntarily walked out of the courtroom before the three graphic videos were played. Erika wore black and could be seen crying at times during the proceedings.
The courtroom was silent as Graf introduced what seemed to be the video of the moment Kirk was shot in the neck. The sound of a gunshot, then screams from Kirk’s audience of college students, could be heard on the livestreamed footage of the hearing.
Graf sat still and straight-faced until the gunshot rang out, which caused him to quickly move back in his chair. He then moved forward, saying, “and that concludes state’s Exhibit 8.”
Graphic videos of Kirk’s broad-daylight assassination, taken from multiple angles, spread rapidly on the internet in the hours after the shocking event took place. A spray of blood came from Kirk’s neck as he slumped to the side in his chair. He was struck mid-sentence while answering a question related to violence committed by transgender-identifying individuals. Footage was later taken down and blurred on social media.
Robinson appeared to smile at times during the hearing while speaking to lawyers.
Graf is tasked with determining if there is enough evidence for Robinson to face a criminal trial during the hearing. Messages to his transgender partner and roommate, Lance Twiggs, are among the evidence expected to be seen this week, as prosecutors claim they secured a confession of the shooting.
Robinson has not entered a plea and could face the death penalty if convicted.
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