Updated on: July 10, 2026 / 4:08 PM EDT
/ CBS/AP
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The family of Charlie Kirk said Friday that they believe the prosecution has presented "overwhelming evidence" to show alleged shooter Tyler Robinson killed the conservative activist as he addressed students at Utah Valley University in September 2025. The family statement comes after a weeklong preliminary hearing. Utah State District Judge Tony Graf will now decide if prosecutors have enough evidence to put Robinson on trial on a charge of aggravated murder. "The conclusion of the preliminary hearing marks an important step forward in the pursuit of justice for Charlie," the Kirk family said in a statement, describing the proceedings as "unimaginably painful and emotionally demanding." The Kirk family did not speak after the hearings ended. "As difficult as these last few days have been, it brings our family comfort to know that the world has witnessed the overwhelming evidence of what occurred to Charlie that day," the statement said. "Nothing will ever undo the loss of our beloved Charlie. As this case moves into its next phase, we pray that truth will continue to be heard through a process that is fair, transparent, and grounded in the facts." Shortly after the hearing ended, Kirk's widow Erika submitted a court filing asking Graf to make a determination by Sept. 1. Graf has scheduled four hours of further oral arguments for that date and is expected to make his decision afterward.
