Judge Says Roommate of Charlie Kirk Murder Suspect Won't Testify in Person at Preliminary Hearing
Judge Tony Graf said reliable hearsay can be used to show probable cause, while he denied a defense bid to force Lance Twiggs to testify.
- On Monday, Judge Tony Graf denied a motion by Tyler Robinson's defense team to compel former roommate Lance Twiggs to testify in-person at July's preliminary hearing, allowing prosecutors to use recorded hearsay statements instead.
- Robinson, 23, faces aggravated murder charges for killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot while addressing a crowd of about 3,000 people at Utah Valley University in Orem last year.
- Defense attorneys argued Twiggs' testimony is crucial for challenging witness credibility; however, Graf ruled that preliminary hearings serve only to establish probable cause, not determine guilt or innocence.
- Robinson's defense team also urged the court to strike the death notice as a sanction, alleging prosecutors violated a gag order by discussing ballistics evidence with the media.
- A hearing scheduled for Friday will address pending sanctions and defense requests to exclude cameras from the courtroom during the July preliminary hearing set to begin July 6.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Charlie Kirk shooting suspect’s roommate won’t have to testify at upcoming hearing
Efforts by Tyler Robinsons defense team to compel a key witness to testify at his upcoming preliminary hearing failed Monday.Robinson is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at a Utah college campus last September. A preliminary hearing scheduled for the week of July 6 is set to determine whether there is enough evidence against the suspect to proceed to trial.Judge Tony Graf ruled in a hearing held remotely on M…
BREAKING: Judge Graf allows Lance Twiggs’ pre-recorded testimony at preliminary hearing, denies defense demand to bring him in person
"Because a preliminary hearing is limited to determining probable cause rather than guilt or innocence, due process does not necessarily require all evidentiary safeguards applicable at trial," he said.
Charlie Kirk murder: Judge rules hearsay evidence allowed in suspect Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing
Lawyers for Charlie Kirk murder suspect Tyler Robinson were back in a Utah courtroom Monday as the judge ruled on several motions filed by the defense team.
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