Charlie Kirk shooting suspect’s effort to have former romantic partner testify in person is denied

A judge on Monday dismissed a motion by Tyler Robinson ’s attorneys to subpoena his former romantic partner to testify in-person in court next month.

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

Robinson, 23, is accused of killing right wing activist Charlie Kirk as he spoke at a campus debate at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, last year. Robinson is facing multiple charges in connection with the killing, including felony aggravated murder.

On Monday, Judge Tony Graf Jr. granted prosecutors’ motion to quash a subpoena brought forward by defense attorneys to have Lance Twiggs testify live in Utah during the preliminary hearing on July 6.

Twiggs was living with Robinson during the time of the alleged murder as a romantic partner. While the court referred to Twiggs by “Mr.,” defense attorneys have previously said that Twiggs is transgender and goes by “Luna.”

Prosecutors moved to quash the subpoena for Twiggs, saying that they intend to use a recorded interview where they allegedly told investigators that Robinson confessed to the crime, concealed a weapon, disposed of clothing, and told Twiggs not to contact law enforcement.

The state also intends to use a handwritten note Robinson gave to Twiggs, as well as text messages and other evidence, Graf said.

Graf also denied the defendant’s motion seeking to prevent the state from relying on hearsay to establish probable cause at the upcoming preliminary hearing.

Graf said that the Utah constitution permits the state to rely on reliable hearsay to establish probable cause, adding that “a relaxed application of defendants’ constitutional rights” at a preliminary hearing are appropriate because of its limited purpose.

“Although the preliminary hearing is a critical stage of the criminal process, it is not a trial, and does not involve a determination of guilt or innocence,” Graf said, explaining his decision.

The next court date is scheduled for Friday morning, where additional matters, such as defense’s interest in subpoenaing seven forensic witnesses to testify, will be discussed ahead of July’s preliminary hearing.

Kirk, the founder of conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while at an event at Utah Valley University last year.

Robinson turned himself in to a local sheriff’s office a day after the killing. He was charged with felony aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of felony obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.

If convicted, prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty . Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

Earlier this month, his attorneys asked the court to rule out the death penalty in light of media statements and appearances made by prosecutors, arguing that they breached the judge’s order limiting out-of-court statements about the case.

Defense attorneys have sought to restrict media coverage of the proceedings, contending that the intense public attention threatens Robinson’s right to a fair trial.

Graf said the court will not be allowing any electronics into the courtroom during July’s preliminary court hearing in order to “uphold the constitutional rights of all parties” in the room.