Charlie Kirk’s widow and parents to attend hearing for man accused of his killing

Charlie Kirk’s parents and his widow Erika Kirk are expected to attend a key hearing next week in Utah for the murder case against the man accused of slaying the conservative political activist, according to multiple news outlets.The preliminary hearing, set to begin 6 July, would mark the first time Kirk’s family has been in the courtroom with Tyler James Robinson, the 23-year-old charged with aggravated murder related to Kirk’s death.The Utah-county-district-attorneys-office" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="155841" data-entity-type="organization">Utah county district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Kirk was shot in the neck during one of his marquee events on 10 September, while debating ideological opponents before a crowd of thousands at Utah-valley-university" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="3139" data-entity-type="location">Utah Valley University. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.At next week’s hearing, the state must prove probable cause, “evidence sufficient to support a reasonable belief that an offense has been committed and that the defendant committed it”, in order to proceed to trial, according to the Utah county attorney’s office.Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.Erika Kirk took the helm of Turning Point USA, the conservative youth movement that her husband co-founded, after his death last fall. During her husband’s memorial service, she said she forgives the young man accused of assassinating her husband. Still, she has pushed to maintain public access to the court proceedings.She is expected to attend court proceedings throughout the week with Charlie Kirk’s parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, who have largely stayed out of the spotlight.Prosecutors have said that during the hearing they plan to introduce forensic analyses, surveillance video, recordings of witness statements, autopsy findings and alleged messages from Robinson admitting to the crime.Authorities have said DNA consistent with Robinson’s was found on the trigger of the rifle used to kill Kirk, the fired cartridge casing, two unfired cartridges and a towel used to wrap the rifle. Prosecutors also have said Robinson left a note for his romantic partner that read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”