Utah Judge Rules Tyler Robinson Will Stand Trial for Capital Murder of Charlie Kirk | Crime Alert 09.03.26

0:00This is an I Heart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. Crime Alert, hourly update, breaking crime news now. I'm Sydney Silvani. A Utah judge has ordered 23-year-old Tyler Robinson to stand trial for the fatal shooting of conservative political activists, Charlie Kirk. Following four hours of intense closing arguments from both sides at a probable cause hearing in fourth district court on Tuesday, judge Tony Graff ruled that prosecutors establish sufficient evidence for the capital case to proceed. Robinson faces multiple serious charges, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury. If convicted of aggravated murder, the 23-year-old St. George resident could face the death penalty under Utah law. The assassination occurred nearly a year ago on September 10, 2025, during a turning point USA rally at Utah Valley University in Orham.

1:00Prosecutors with the Utah County Attorney's Office alleged that Robinson perched on a nearby rooftop and fired a single shot from a high-powered rifle into a massive crowd from approximately 140 yards away. The bullet struck 31-year-old Kirk in the neck, killing him instantly. Following an extensive highly publicized manhunt, Robinson turned himself into authorities the following day. During the recent hearing, which followed an initial five-day preliminary hearing in July, prosecutors presented physical evidence, including video footage of the shooting DNA evidence and clothing recovered from Robinson. In court audio, prosecutor David Sturgell questioned State Bureau of Investigation agent David Hull about surveillance footage showing the suspect on the rooftop. You believe this to be Mr. Robinson? I'm sorry. You believe this to be Mr. Robinson? I do, yes. And how long is he out there on the edge of the building? Just until the reported shot was fired at 12, 23, and 28

2:02individual then stands up and then moves across the building to the north. Is that what we're seeing happening right now? It is, yes. They move behind the atrium area on the rooftop of the northeast corner where the white triangle is. The defense team, led by attorney Catherine Nestor, disputed that Robinson targeted Kirk for his political beliefs, describing the prosecution's theory as purely speculative and questioning the reliability of the state's DNA evidence. Defense counsel also pressed Agent Hull on whether the rooftop footage clearly identified the suspect. As of the 11th, before Mr. Robinson turned himself in, you all had not been able to determine that. Is that right? Excuse me. Determine who he was or determine distinguishing features. Determine distinguishing features of the video of the person on the roof. Yes, we had a person of interest, and those images were released to the press. You tell me the ones in the stairwell from the parking garage. Correct. But the video on the roof was not distinguishable, fair?

3:05That video as I stand alone. Yes. It was not, no. OK. Robinson's attorneys further argued that prosecutors failed to prove others were endangered during the shooting. However, court filings reveal that Robinson allegedly confessed to killing Kirk and at least 11 separate written messages sent to his partner, Lance Twiggs, writing, I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it. Robinson has pleaded not guilty to all counts. More crime and justice news after this. In Mississippi, civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton is refusing to back down against threats of a defamation lawsuit surrounding the death of 18-year-old student athlete Nolan Xavier Wells. Attorneys representing three friends who were with Wells on Horn Island before he went missing on July 4th, Warren Hudson, Jack Spatalo, and Morgan Seymour sent a demand letter, alleging Sharpton defamed them during a July 14th TMZ interview and subsequent national appearances.

4:06Sharpton's legal team, led by attorneys Daniel Watkins and Wiley Steclow, issued a 15-page response, calling the claims meritless. Sharpton affirmed he will neither apologize nor retract statements originally raised by Wells mother, Christine Wells-Wonsley. Sharpton emphasized he is standing with the grieving parents as an ordained Baptist minister to find out how Nolan died. The Jackson County Sheriff's Department continues to lead the ongoing death investigation. Meanwhile, federal authorities in Mississippi have charged four out of state individuals for making horrific threats against witnesses and judicial officials tied to the case. Illinois resident Edward James Porter allegedly threatened to cut witnesses' father into pieces and put him in a suitcase. Sacramento resident Joseph Alfredo Vasquez-Dumars is accused of threatening to bomb the office of chanceary judge Ashley Cole and targeting her steps on Warren Hudson. Additionally, Jacksonville resident Brandon E. Fram Washington faces charges for threatening witnesses.

5:08While Michelle Edwards of Cincinnati allegedly made 21 terrifying bomb threats to local county offices. Finally, in West Merlin County, Pennsylvania, 29-year-old Jacob Corber is in custody, charged with criminal homicide for the death of his mother, Kristen Hamilton. Authorities report that Hamilton's daughter discovered her body on August 30th inside her so wiggly township home. Investigators say Hamilton had taken a shower and was wrapped in a towel when Corber allegedly assaulted her with his hands, feet, and objects on the front porch for over an hour. Local CBS affiliate Katie K.A. obtained video showing Corber kneeling and surrendering to Pennsylvania State Police outside the home. State police trooper Steve LaMani revealed that Corber confessed during police questioning. Corber is being held without bail at West Merlin County Prison with a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 14th. For more crime and justice news, be sure to join us for crime stories with Nancy Grace on Fox One, YouTube, Sirius XM, and now streaming on 2B.

6:11With this crime alert, I'm Sydney Silvani. This is an I Heart Podcast. Guaranteed Human.