Charlie Kirk Assassination Case Update: Defense Raises Concerns Over DNA Evidence
PROVO, Utah — A weeklong preliminary hearing for the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk entered its second day on Tuesday, with defense lawyers sharply questioning the reliability of DNA evidence that prosecutors say links 23-year-old Tyler Robinson to the murder weapon.
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10, 2025, shooting of Kirk, who was addressing a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
DNA Evidence Under Fire
At the center of Tuesday’s testimony was FBI DNA analyst Amanda Bakker, who said Robinson was included as a “possible contributor” of DNA found on a towel and a screwdriver recovered near the crime scene. Investigators found a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a dark towel in a wooded area near campus, along with a screwdriver on the rooftop of a nearby building.
Bakker testified that DNA on the towel matched two people: Robinson and his former roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs. However, defense attorney Michael Burt cast doubt on the analyst’s conclusions, arguing that “she can’t match Mr. Robinson to the questioned samples”.
Bakker acknowledged that finding DNA on an item doesn’t necessarily mean the person matched to that DNA actually touched or used it, and that DNA mixtures from different people can sometimes be found on the same item. She also noted that DNA degrades over time and that there was some degradation to the samples found on the screwdriver.
Prosecutors countered that the reliability of the DNA testing could be examined if the case goes to trial. “The point is there are explanations that are susceptible to different interpretations and arguments,” said Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride.
Video Evidence and the Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors also presented surveillance footage showing a man, allegedly Robinson, repeatedly appearing on campus the day of the killing. The footage shows the suspect climbing onto a rooftop, and after the fatal shot, running across the roof and dropping down with an unknown object in his hands. A rifle was later recovered in a wooded area where investigators believe Robinson entered.
Prosecutors allege Robinson confessed in a note left for Twiggs that read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it”. Robinson also reportedly texted his roommate that he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred”.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence. They have, however, sought to have the death penalty taken off the table, so far unsuccessfully. The defense has also objected to much of the video evidence and argued that some footage had been edited.
The hearing is expected to continue through the week, after which Judge Tony Graf will determine whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
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