Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, are contesting DNA evidence at pre-trial hearings in Utah. The evidence — presented by prosecutors seeking to establish probable cause to send Robinson to trial — allegedly links him to a towel wrapped around the suspected murder weapon, making the hearings a pivotal moment in the high-profile case.

Prosecutors on Tuesday introduced an FBI report tying Robinson's DNA to the towel and a screwdriver, with DNA from his roommate and partner, Lance Twiggs, also reportedly found on the items. Defence lawyers spent more than three hours seeking to cast doubt on the findings. Twiggs will not appear in person during the week-long hearings, but prosecutors plan to submit a recorded statement. Investigators have also produced previously unseen surveillance images said to show Robinson on the Utah Valley University campus before Kirk was killed on 10 September 2025.