Hi everyone,
On Tuesday, the Utah County Attorney announced charges filed against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk just one week ago. Attorney Jeff Gray read out those charges, saying:
"I am charged with bringing justice for Charlie Kirk," he said. "I am committed to these aims. I take this responsibility seriously today, after reviewing the evidence that law enforcement has collected thus far."
Count 1: aggravated murder, a capital offense for intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Charlie Kirk under circumstances that created a great risk of death to others.
Count 2: felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, a first degree felony.
Count 3: obstruction of justice, a second degree felony for concealing the rifle.
Count 4: obstruction of justice, a second degree felony for disposing the clothing he wore during the shooting.
Count 5: witness tampering, a third degree felony for directing his roommate to delete his incriminating text.
Count 6: witness tampering, a third degree felony for directing his roommate to stay silent if police questioned him.
Count 7: commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.
On counts 1 and 2, Gray said, the state is alleging aggravating factors because Robinson is believed to have targeted Kirk based on Kirk's political expression, and did so knowing that children were present and would witness the homicide.
Counts 5 and 6 also revealed that Robinson texted with his roommate, a man called Lance Twiggs who was undergoing gender transition from male to female, was romantically involved with Robinson, and hates conservatives and Christians. Gray read out the text messages between the two men after the shooting, in which Robinson complains that he was not able to go back for his rifle, which he had abandoned, and that his father was going to be mad that he lost it.
Robinson told Twiggs to look under his keyboard and destroy a note he'd left there which read "I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it." In response to the ask, Twiggs said "What? You're joking, right?" Robinson then told Twiggs, "I am still okay, my love, but I'm stuck in Orem a little longer."
This exchange caused an ABC reporter to swoon, "he was, you know, speaking so lovingly about his partner," the reporter said. He actually said that the text exchange in which Robinson instructed Twiggs to destroy evidence was "very touching." Twiggs cooperated fully with the police investigation.
Robinson, who was turned in by his own parents, also said that he expected to get away with the killing."To be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age."
The state intends to pursue the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.