Prosecutors are in court to argue that the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk should stand trial

Prosecutors in Utah are arguing in court that the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk should face trial, seeking the death penalty for the defendant, Tyler Robinson. The preliminary hearing, scheduled for five days, represents the most significant presentation of evidence in the case against Robinson.

Kirk's parents and widow, Erika Kirk, were present in the courtroom for the first time, accompanied by Donald Trump Jr., son of President Donald Trump. Robinson, 23, is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 killing of Kirk, an ally of President Trump, at Utah Valley University. Robinson surrendered to authorities the day after the shooting.

Prosecutors allege that Robinson confessed in a note left for his roommate and romantic partner, stating, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it." Robinson has not yet entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence, though they have unsuccessfully sought to remove the death penalty as a possible sentence.

The preliminary hearing will function like a mini-trial, where prosecutors must demonstrate reasonable grounds to believe Robinson killed Kirk. This standard is lower than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" required for a trial. Prosecutors plan to present 40 to 50 exhibits, including videos of the shooting, DNA evidence linking Robinson to the weapon, autopsy findings, and witness statements. They will also argue that the shooting endangered others at the event, a factor that could lead to the death penalty under Utah law.

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I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it.