Murder trial of Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer begins

A five-day preliminary hearing has begun in Utah for Tyler Robinson, 23, charged with the aggravated murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.

Tyler Robinson Faces Death Penalty Hearing Over Assassination of Charlie Kirk

Prosecutors opened their case on Monday in Salt Lake City, where Robinson faces charges over the September 10 assassination of Kirk, who was shot while addressing thousands at Utah Valley University, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kirk’s widow Erika and his parents Robert and Kathryn Kirk are expected in court throughout the week.

Robinson turned himself in after the shooting. Prosecutors allege he left a note for his roommate reading, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” and sent a text message saying, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” He has not yet entered a plea.

DNA consistent with Robinson’s was reportedly found on the rifle’s trigger, fired casing, unfired cartridges and a wrapping towel. Law professor Paul Cassell described the publicly available evidence as “an overwhelming case” and “the proverbial slam dunk.”