Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing reveals remorse and confession in Charlie Kirk killing

A Utah preliminary hearing in Provo examined evidence against 23‑year‑old Tyler Robinson, charged with aggravated murder and other counts for the September 10 2025 shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors presented a videotaped interview with Robinson’s former roommate and lover, Lance Twiggs, who testified that Robinson told him he had killed Kirk, expressed regret – “wishes he hadn’t done it” – and later cried in the apartment. The interview also covered Robinson’s request for a Dremel tool to engrave messages on bullets and a note left for Twiggs admitting he had “the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk.” Text messages shown to the court contain Robinson’s own admissions, including “I am sorry” and a motive claim that he “had enough of his hatred.” DNA from Robinson and Twiggs was found on the bolt‑action rifle, a towel and a screwdriver recovered at the scene, and engraved ammunition was presented as physical evidence. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, arguing the killing was politically motivated; the defense has challenged the reliability of DNA and ballistics testing and objected to public airing of Twiggs’s statements, prompting Judge Tony Graf to order redactions of parts of the video. The judge will decide whether probable cause exists to move the case to trial after the week‑long hearing.