Read Tyler Robinson's text messages to trans lover Lance Twiggs

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and KATRINA SCHOLLENBERGER, US HEAD OF LIVE NEWS Updated: 00:01 BST, 10 July 2026

Erika Kirk was heard crying in court today as chilling new text messages between Tyler Robinson and his trans lover Lance Twiggs were read aloud. In messages dated September 10, the day of Charlie Kirk's murder, Robinson chillingly claimed that his grandfather's hunting rifle worked 'just fine' shortly after the alleged assassin took his shot at the Utah Valley University campus. Robinson said he had still planned to go to work in the hours following Kirk's death as he attempted to lay low, and that he had wanted to see if the 'road closer' to the UVU campus was open so he could 'drive past and check s*** out.' Earlier in the hearing, Robinson appeared to panic and sweat as a part of recorded testimony from Twiggs was played to the court.Twiggs, wearing a suit with long hair, appeared deadpan as he rattled off details about the morning of Kirk's murder in a recorded interview with officials.The Turning Point USA founder's family previously filed a request demanding that recorded testimony from Robinson’s lover be played in full after judge Tony F. Graf Jr. ruled a portion of it could be redacted.Kirk’s widow, Erika, and his parents, Robert and Kathryn, have been in the courtroom every day for the evidence hearing.A dramatic weeklong evidence hearing has been underway for Robinson, 23, who faces the death penalty if he is convicted of murdering Kirk in front of thousands of people at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.Robinson has not entered a plea in the case. His attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence.Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, wept as Agent Ryan Davis from the State Bureau of Investigations read out text messages between Tyler Robinson and his lover Lance Twiggs on the stand.The messages unearthed disturbing details from the day Charlie Kirk was murdered, including that the old rifle that Robinson allegedly used to shoot the Turning Point USA founder worked 'just fine.'Prior to the shooting, Robinson told Twiggs he was planning on taking a family hunting trip, and wanted to borrow a dremel to inscribe the gun's bullets.Court shown text message between Robinson and TwiggsErika Kirk was heard crying as text messages between Tyler Robinson and Lance Twiggs was shown in court.The message allegedly shows Robinson telling Twiggs to 'drop what you're doing, look under my keyboard.;Twiggs replied, 'What? You're joking right?'Twiggs then said, 'You weren't the one who did it right?'To which Robinson allegedly replied, 'I am, I'm sorry.'Robinson's message continued, 'I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down. It's quiet, almost enough to get but, there's one vehicle lingering.'Twiggs then asked Robinson why he did it, and Robinson allegedly replied, 'I had enough of his hatred, some hate cannot be negotiated out. Robinson continued, 'If I'm able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven't seen anything in the news about them finding it. Will update shortly, I will update you by midnight.'Twiggs appeared to ask Robinson how long he had been playing the alleged assassination. Robinson allegedly replied, 'A bit over a week I believe.'Firearms analyst claims she only received four of seven total bullet fragments recovered at the sceneKarner, who analyzed the bullet fragments recovered at the Charlie Kirk assassination scene, testified that she only received four fragments in the case, despite seven being recovered.She said she found out recently that seven had been collected. Bullet fragments examined by ATF agent presented in courtBullet fragments recovered at the scene were analyzed by Karner.The agent spoke about her results from her exam analysis reports.Defense calls on new witness Samantha Karner, Firearm and Tool Mark Examiner for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, was called to the stand on Thursday afternoon.The state has now finished presenting it's evidence and witnesses.Court shown alleged confession noteThe court was shown an image of a note allegedly left by Tyler Robinson for his lover and roommate, Lance Twiggs.One image was of the burnt note, and the other was a picture of the note taken on Twiggs' phone.The images were briefly shown to the public, then quickly taken down.Tyler Robinson alleged practiced shootingUtah Department of Public Safety Sergeant Jennifer Faumuina testified that investigators found shooting targets at Tyler Robinson's home and a bullet that was engraved with the message, 'Test shot.'Court shown bullet engravingsThe court was shown the engravings found on the bullets with the gun allegedly used to kill Charlie Kirk.Investigators have previously said they found bullet casings engraved with political messages in the gun.One read: 'Hey fascist! Catch!', and another referenced a transgender furry meme, 'notices bulge OwO.' Another referenced the Italian anti-Fascist song 'Bella Ciao', and another read: 'If you are reading this, you are gay.' Lance Twiggs testified that Robinson joked about wanting the meme to be read on Fox News.He also testified that Robinson was engraving bullets leading up to the shooting.Tyler Robinson 'squirmed' and his mom cried in courtTyler Robinson was 'squirming' and 'swinging uncomfortably in his chair' when the court was shown text messages with Lance Twiggs, Fox News reported.His mother, Amber Robinson, cried while the court discussed details about the alleged weapon belonging to his grandfather.Court shown gun and towelThe court was shown images of the gun and towel found in a wooded area near the scene of the Charlie Kirk shooting.Experts have testified that Tyler Robinson and Lance Twiggs' DNA was found on the towel and gun.Investigators have said the gun belonged to Robinson's grandfather.Utah Department of Public Safety Sergeant Jennifer Faumuina testified that the gun was found with engraved bullets.