Erika Kirk is set to face gruesome evidence from her husband Charlie Kirk’s murder this week as she faces down accused assassin Tyler Robinson in court for a critical hearing.
“It’s going to be a tough week on everybody,” a source familiar with the situation said of Charlie’s family and friends planning to attend Tyler Robinson’s five-day evidence hearing in Provo, Utah.
“There is going to be evidence presented which the family may choose to leave the courtroom for,” the source said. “That’s their prerogative. They are going to make those decisions when in court.”
Under Utah law, a preliminary hearing is where prosecutors present their evidence against the defendant so the judge can decide if there is probable cause for the case to go to trial. The process is used in Utah as an alternative to a grand jury indictment.
Graphic videos of the public assassination are expected to be shown to Judge Tony Graf, as well as autopsy evidence at the hearing, which begins Monday.
It was not immediately clear if the photos of Kirk’s body would be displayed.
Lawyers on both sides have agreed to give warnings to Kirk’s loved ones so they can decide whether to leave the courtroom during those disturbing portions of the proceeding.
Robinson is accused of shooting Kirk, 31, from long range while he was speaking in front of a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10.
The 23-year-old gunman allegedly admitted to the shooting in messages with his trans lover Lance Twiggs, which are expected to be presented at the hearing, according to prosecutors.
Included in the evidence is likely to be a recorded interview that Twiggs underwent.
The 22-year-old former roommate of Robinson’s sat down with prosecutors on April 20 to discuss Robinson.
Twiggs — who was spotted laying low with family in Texas earlier this year — was given limited immunity for that interview.
Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted. He has yet to enter a plea in the case.
