An evidence hearing has been under way for Tyler Robinson, 23, who faces the death penalty if convicted of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk in front of thousands of people at Utah Valley University on 10 September 2025. During Thursday's proceedings, Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, was heard crying in the courtroom as text messages that Robinson allegedly sent to his partner, Lance Twiggs, were read aloud from the stand.

Agent Ryan Davis of the State Bureau of Investigations testified about the messages, which were dated the day of the killing. In them, Robinson allegedly told Twiggs to look under his keyboard, where a note read: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it." Twiggs, who described being panicked in a recorded police interview, replied asking whether Robinson was joking, to which Robinson allegedly responded, "I am, I'm sorry." Further messages allegedly showed Robinson discussing his grandfather's hunting rifle and his efforts to retrieve and dispose of the weapon to avoid leaving evidence, though parts of the area were said to be locked down.