The for the man charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk is set to resume Wednesday afternoon, with defense attorneys expected to keep questioning the reliability of DNA testing that prosecutors say links the defendant to the .
Prosecutors are trying to convince state District Judge Tony Graf that they have enough evidence to bring Tyler Robinson to trial on an aggravated murder charge. After the hearing concludes, Graf must determine if the case should proceed, which experts say is likely.
Robinson, 23, is charged with aggravated murder in Kirk鈥檚 on the Utah Valley University campus, for which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea. His attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence. They have, however, sought to get the taken off the table, so far unsuccessfully.
Here’s the latest:
Robinson鈥檚 defense disputed the idea that he was hostile to Kirk鈥檚 politics
Defense attorney Richard Novak sought to block prosecutors from introducing a statement describing the traditional Christian values of Turning Point USA.
鈥淭his doesn鈥檛 say anything about Mr. Robinson鈥檚 state of mind,鈥� Novak said about Turning Point USA board member David Engelhardt’s statement. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think that this court should be deciding 鈥� based on the record before it 鈥� where, if at all, politics and religion intersect.鈥�
The judge ruled that the Turning Point statement was relevant and would be 鈥減rovisionally admitted,鈥� with a final decision at a later date.
Robinson鈥檚 roommate provided investigators with a DNA sample
FBI analyst Amanda Bakker said after Robinson鈥檚 roommate provided a DNA sample for comparison, she was able to rerun her tests and attribute all of the DNA to two people.
Investigators found the towel and suspected murder weapon 鈥� a bolt-action rifle with one spent round 鈥� in a wooded area near where Kirk was shot.
matched to two people, Jennifer Faumuina with the State Bureau of Investigation testified. One was Robinson鈥檚 roommate, Lance Twiggs, and the other was very likely Robinson, she said.
Defense lawyer Michael Burt cast doubt on the analyst鈥檚 conclusions
It鈥檚 a theme that鈥檚 likely to come up again during the .
鈥淪he can鈥檛 match Mr. Robinson to the questioned samples,鈥� Burt concluded.
Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride countered that the reliability of the DNA testing could be examined if the case goes to trial. He suggested the preliminary hearing was not the time to take up the matter.
鈥淭he point is there are explanations that are susceptible to different interpretations and arguments,鈥� McBride said. 鈥淭he court is going to determine if it meets the threshold of reliability at trial.鈥�
DNA evidence from Charlie Kirk’s assassination disputed by defendant鈥檚 lawyers
Lawyers for the man accused of killing conservative activist are expected to keep questioning the reliability of DNA testing that prosecutors said links the defendant to the when a weeklong hearing continues Wednesday.
A member of Tyler Robinson鈥檚 defense team interrogated a DNA analyst from the FBI on Tuesday about the techniques she used to connect Robinson to a rifle found wrapped inside a towel at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was shot in September while speaking to a crowd.
Defense lawyer Michael Burt cast doubt on the analyst鈥檚 conclusions 鈥� a theme that鈥檚 likely to come up again.
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