PROVO, Utah, June 22, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — Judge Tony Graf, assigned to hear the case of Tyler Robinson, accused of killing conservative spokesman Charlie Kirk, ruled Monday that Robinson’s former roommate would not be compelled to appear in person at a July hearing to testify at a preliminary hearing in the case.
Defense attorneys for Robinson had asked the court to compel former roommate Lance Twiggs to appear in person for a scheduled hearing so Twiggs could be cross-examined. Twiggs no longer lives in Utah.
Graf said that the July hearing is preliminary, intended for establishing evidence that the state has against Robinson, and is not an actual trial, so testimony shouldn’t need cross examination, which could take place at a later point.
Graf dismissed that motion without prejudice, saying the defense can resubmit it if it has proof it can negate the probable cause against Robinson with cross-examination of the testimony from Twiggs.
Graf declined on Monday to rule on a potential gag order violation by a prosecuting attorney, who spoke to a media outlet about ammunition in evidence, and whether such a violation should result in a sanction prohibiting a death penalty sentence if Robinson is ultimately found guilty of killing Kirk.
The prosecution has said it intends to seek the death penalty against Robinson if he is convicted Kirk’s fatal shooting, which happened on Sept. 10, 2025, as Kirk spoke at Utah Valley University.
The death penalty sanction motion has been moved to Friday, when another hearing is scheduled.
The hearing this Friday is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.
