Alleged Charlie Kirk assassin denied bid to confront trans lover
A Utah judge denied a motion to compel testimony from the ex-partner of the man accused of killing podcaster Charlie Kirk at a preliminary hearing next month.
Utah Judge Tony Graf ruled Monday that Tyler Robinson, who stands accused of killing Kirk, will not be permitted to force his former romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, 22, to appear in the Provo courtroom for the July 6 preliminary hearing, as New York Post reports.
Robinson’s defense team had sought to compel Twiggs to testify after prosecutors indicated they would present a video interview Twiggs gave to investigators on April 20. The defense argued that if the judge would view the interview, they should have the right to cross-examine Twiggs in person, particularly regarding the partial immunity agreement he secured in exchange for cooperating against Robinson.
Graf determined that compelling Twiggs, who now resides out of state, to appear at the preliminary hearing was unnecessary. He emphasized that the preliminary stage serves only to establish probable cause, not to fully litigate the case. According to the judge, Robinson’s attorneys will have the opportunity to cross-examine Twiggs should he be called as a witness during the actual trial.
According to prosecutors, Twiggs provided law enforcement with critical evidence against Robinson, including text messages in which Robinson allegedly confessed to the public shooting of Kirk. The messages reportedly detailed Robinson’s efforts to conceal evidence, including hiding the firearm used in the attack and disposing of the clothing he wore at the time of the shooting. Twiggs also claims Robinson urged him to withhold information from police.
Robinson faces charges for the public shooting of Kirk at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10. The conservative podcaster was attending an event when the attack occurred. Robinson has not yet entered a plea in the case, which awaits Graf’s determination on whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
In a separate matter, Graf announced he will issue a ruling Friday on Robinson’s motion requesting the court hold prosecutors in contempt for allegedly violating a gag order. The defense has requested that the death penalty be removed from consideration as a sanction for what they characterize as prosecutorial misconduct.
With information from New York Post
