US3 min(s) read
Published 14:26 31 Mar 2026 GMT
Bombshell claim about bullet used to assassinate Charlie Kirk could derail trial as lawyers make major request
A bombshell claim regarding the bullet used to assassinate Charlie Kirk could potentially derail the trial.
According to the defense, a ballistic analysis by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) failed to link the bullet recovered from the conservative activist's body to the rifle allegedly tied to Tyler Robinson.
This raises questions about the prosecution’s case, as it could cast doubt on the evidence linking Robinson to the shooting at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
Ballistic Analysis and Expert Opinion
According to Politico, Robinson, 22, is facing capital murder charges and a potential death sentence, but his defense team is pushing to delay the preliminary hearing after the massive volume of evidence they must review.
The defense claims that the bullet fragment recovered from the Turning Point USA founder's body could not be definitively matched to the Mauser 98 rifle found at the scene, which prosecutors claim belonged to Robinson's grandfather, per The Mirror.
One expert, Zack Bonfilio, explained that the "soft point rounds like those used in a .30-06 rifle are difficult to be matched because they are designed to expand and fragment upon contact with their target," per GB News.
Defense attorneys have requested additional time to process over 20,000 files provided by the prosecution, including DNA and forensic evidence, which they say will require consultations with forensic biologists and geneticists to fully understand.
Confessions and Text Messages from Robinson
Despite the challenge over the ballistics evidence, there are other aspects of the case that could work in the prosecution’s favor.
Prosecutors have presented text messages allegedly exchanged between the suspect and his roommate, Lance Twiggs, in which he discussed the firearm he had left behind after the shooting.
In one text, Robinson allegedly penned: "If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence," and in another, he said: "Only thing I left was the rifle wrapped in a towel," BBC News reported.
To complicate matters, Robinson allegedly confessed to his father after the shooting, claiming responsibility for the murder. His father, Matt Robinson, then contacted the police, leading to his son's arrest.
Media Coverage
Robinson's next court appearance is scheduled for April 17, 2026.
Per News.com.au, the hearing will focus on public and media access to future proceedings, including a defense motion to ban all cameras from the courtroom.
The defense team plans to present evidence they argue demonstrates "harmful and prejudicial media coverage" surrounding the case.
“While there is simply not enough time to present all of what is referenced in the ‘motion to exclude cameras,’ the compilation anticipated will highlight the most egregious and most concerning media coverage impacting Mr Robinson’s case,” his legal team added.