Widow and Donald Trump Jr. attend hearing in Charlie Kirk murder case
Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, attended a court hearing for the man accused of his murder.
- Tyler Robinson, 23, is charged with shooting Kirk during a debate event in Utah.
- Donald Trump Jr. was also present at the preliminary hearing, which will determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was present in a packed courtroom in Provo, Utah, for the preliminary hearing of the man accused of her husband's murder. Tyler Robinson, 23, faces charges for allegedly shooting Kirk during a debate event at a university on September 10 last year.
Sitting just a few feet away from Kirk's widow was Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Reuters. The hearing began a week of proceedings where a judge will assess whether there is sufficient evidence to believe Robinson committed the crime.
He was in the process of answering a question, and then I heard a shot.
If the judge finds probable cause, Robinson is expected to enter a plea regarding the seven charges against him. This would then pave the way for setting dates for a full trial. During the proceedings, the judge instructed attendees not to show visible support for either Kirk or Robinson.
Testimony from a police officer present at the university during the shooting was heard. Officer Chris Bagley described hearing a shot while Kirk was answering a question and subsequently investigating a building where he found a screwdriver and marks on the gravel roof, suggesting a possible sniper position. Prosecutors are expected to present video evidence of the killing and Robinson's presence at the university before and after the incident. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty, which is only an option in Utah under aggravating circumstances, with a focus on whether the shooting endangered others.
It looked like marks from a sniper possibly lying on the roof.
Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.