The father of Tyler Robinson sat quietly in a Utah courtroom Tuesday as prosecutors laid out a chilling motive for his son’s alleged murder of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk—claiming the shooting was fueled by anger over Kirk’s anti-LGBTQ stance.
According to court testimony, prosecutor Ryan McBride argued that Robinson, 23, found Kirk’s message “repugnant” because of his relationship with a partner who was considering transitioning genders. That alleged targeting, McBride said, should make Robinson eligible for the death penalty—possibly by firing squad.
Robinson’s dad, Matthew, made the three-hour trip from home to hear the closing arguments of a preliminary hearing that will decide if his son stands trial. He watched as attorneys dissected his son’s personal life and the alleged confession to his partner, Lance Twiggs, who also goes by Luna.
Prosecutors presented security footage of Robinson allegedly walking campus with a hidden rifle and expert testimony linking his DNA to the murder weapon. Twiggs, in recorded testimony, reportedly claimed Robinson confessed in texts and an emotional face-to-face conversation.
The defense pushed back, arguing that a relationship alone does not prove motive. “There’s a significant gap,” attorney Richard Novak said, adding that the state is “making it up” by tying the killing to Robinson’s romance.
The courtroom also saw Charlie Kirk’s parents arrive, underscoring the deep loss at the center of this case. With the judge’s ruling expected any day, both sides now wait—and the Robinson family faces an agonizing question: What happens next?
