The family of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk attended court on Monday as prosecutors began presenting evidence against the man accused of killing him during a preliminary hearing in Utah. Get today's headlines by email Kirk, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead on 10 September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The shooting sparked a two-day manhunt before authorities arrested Tyler Robinson, 23. Family attends preliminary court proceedingsRobinson has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstructing justice and witness tampering. He has not yet entered a plea, and prosecutors in Utah County are seeking the death penalty. The hearing is expected to continue through Friday. Family asks for privacyAhead of the proceedings, Kirk's family released a statement describing the continuing impact of his death. "Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father," said the statement from his widow, Erika, his parents, Robert and Kathryn, and his sister, Mary. The family said every court appearance was "a painful reminder" of their loss and thanked supporters for their prayers and kindness since the shooting. "Out of respect for the judicial process, we will not be commenting further at this time," the statement said. "We ask for continued privacy as we navigate this process and immense grief." Kirk's widow and parents arrived at the courthouse separately on Monday. Prosecutors outline evidenceRobinson, dressed in a light-coloured suit, sat between his lawyers during the hearing. Prosecutors said four law enforcement officers were expected to testify on the opening day. Tyler Robinson, 23. Picture courtesy of Rick Egan/Pool via Reuters/File Photo Before the hearing, defence lawyers had unsuccessfully sought to exclude some evidence, prevent cameras from covering the proceedings and remove the death penalty as a possible sentence. Prosecutors revisited the events of 10 September, when Kirk was speaking under a tent as part of his American Comeback college campus tour, during which he invited audience members to debate him. According to testimony, a gunshot was heard at about 12:20 p.m. while Kirk was discussing gun violence, causing him to collapse. Investigator describes crime sceneOne of the first witnesses, investigator Bagley, testified that he had been positioned on a nearby building and believed from the sound that the shot had been fired from a rifle rather than a handgun. He described the immediate aftermath as chaotic, with people shouting and fleeing, and said he was initially informed that law enforcement had detained a suspect. However, Bagley testified that evidence found later raised questions for him about whether the person first taken into custody was responsible. He told the court he discovered a screwdriver and marks in gravel on a rooftop that he believed were consistent with a sniper's firing position. He also said security camera footage showed an individual dropping from the roof and leaving the area. Bagley testified that the marks appeared to show where someone had been lying in a prone position with "markings of elbows, knees and feet" aligned with the line of sight toward the tent where Kirk had been speaking. Defence attorney Kathryn Nestor raised several objections during Bagley's testimony and is expected to question him, along with other witnesses, as the preliminary hearing continues. Charlie Kirk. Picture courtesy of Reuters Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 7 July 2026
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