New court testimony has provided the most detailed account yet of what prosecutors say happened after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with Tyler Robinson's former partner telling investigators that Robinson confessed to the killing multiple times before surrendering to authorities.
During a pre-recorded deposition played Thursday at a preliminary hearing, Lance Twiggs testified that Robinson returned to their Utah apartment the day after the Sept. 10 shooting at Utah Valley University. Twiggs told investigators he woke to find Robinson inside the apartment before Robinson broke down emotionally.
According to Twiggs' testimony, Robinson said he "wishes he hadn't done it" and indicated that he intended to turn himself in.
Prosecutors also presented additional evidence they say corroborates those statements, including a letter, text messages, and Robinson's alleged in-person admissions to Twiggs. Together, the evidence offered the clearest picture yet of how investigators say Robinson described carrying out the attack and, according to testimony presented in court, even making crude jokes afterward.
The evidence was introduced during a preliminary hearing, where prosecutors outlined their case. Robinson has been charged in connection with Kirk's killing and remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The assassination of Kirk, one of the nation's most recognizable conservative voices, sent shockwaves through the country and intensified concerns about the increasingly hostile political climate facing public figures. Supporters have argued that years of inflammatory rhetoric directed at conservatives have contributed to an atmosphere where political violence is too often minimized until tragedy strikes.
As the criminal case moves forward, the focus will remain on the evidence presented in court and whether prosecutors can prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. For millions of Americans, however, the broader principle is already clear: political disagreements must never become an excuse for violence, and those responsible for attacks motivated by ideology should be held fully accountable under the law.
