Judge Mandates Redactions in Ex-Lover’s Video Testimony at Tyler Robinson Preliminary Hearing

In Provo, Utah, the court is set for a pivotal moment as Lance Twiggs, the former lover of Tyler Robinson, suspected of assassinating Charlie Kirk, will have his video testimony presented on Thursday morning. This comes as the week-long preliminary hearing draws to a close.

Initially, the prosecution planned to play the video on Wednesday. However, a series of objections from the defense led Judge Tony Graf Jr. to order redactions. Consequently, prosecutors decided to postpone the showing until Thursday morning to ensure compliance with the court’s directives.

The courtroom atmosphere has been emotionally charged. Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, was visibly moved, sharing tearful embraces with her mother-in-law, Kathy Kirk. The family’s attorney, Jeff Neiman, passionately urged the court to consider showing the unredacted testimony video, asserting it should be “seen by the world.”

During these proceedings, Erika Kirk seemingly prompted her lawyer to address the bench, marking his first appearance at the podium since the hearings commenced earlier in the week.

Playing only a redacted version would create “doubt and distrust in the judicial system,” Neiman argued. 

“The Kirk family believes strongly that if the evidence is being admitted in this preliminary hearing, it should be made public for the world to see no redactions,” he told the judge. “This court has tools at its disposal to make sure the defendant receives a fair trial. You’ll use them if you find that you need to.”

Graf, however, agreed to redactions of about 16 minutes of the roughly 37-minute video statement from Twiggs, as suggested by the defense, after Robinson attorney Richard Novak raised constitutional concerns about televising a “confession” before trial. 

The full video is expected to show Twiggs discussing texts, chat logs and a note that the defense said prosecutors and the public would consider a “confession” from Robinson. 

Novak said the defense does not characterize them as a confession. 

Robinson appeared visibly uneasy at times during the hearing, especially during mentions of Twiggs, his lover at the time of the shooting — taking deep breaths, fidgeting and adjusting his suit jacket. 

Some of the alleged texts between Robinson and Twiggs have been made public already, in which prosecutors claim the defendant mentions being “stuck in Orem,” where the shooting took place — and appears to take responsibility for being “the one who did it.”

Mention of the texts are expected to be redacted from the video played Thursday, but the judge said he will consider them when he makes his probable cause decision.  

Graf also said the preliminary hearing will end by 5 p.m. Friday, squelching speculation that the planned five-day hearing could run longer. 

At the end of the hearing, as everyone stood, Erika and Kathy Kirk shared a tearful hug.