Robinson, 22, told his flatmate and romantic partner that his motive for the murder was a desire to end Kirk’s hatred, stating, “Some hate can’t be negotiated out,” according to court transcripts.
What you should know:
Court Hearing Recap
During Tuesday’s hearing, held via a video link from the county jail where Robinson is held, prosecutors detailed the evidence against him, mainly gathered from his communications. Robinson appeared unshaven and wore a green suicide-prevention smock, showing no expression during the proceedings.
The prosecutors listed charges against Robinson, including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice, and stated their intention to seek the death penalty due to the threat posed by Robinson at the event and the presence of minors.
Charges Against Robinson
- Count 1: Aggravated murder, regarding the shooting of Charlie Kirk, endangering others.
- Count 2: Felony discharge of a firearm causing serious injury, a first-degree felony.
- Count 3: Obstruction of justice for moving and hiding the shooting rifle.
- Count 4: Obstruction of justice by hiding the clothing worn during the incident.
- Count 5: Witness tampering for instructing his flatmate to delete incriminating texts.
- Count 6: Witness tampering for the flatmate’s silence directed by Robinson.
- Count 7: Violent crime in the presence of a child due to the shooting near individuals under 14.
The Role of Robinson’s Family and Flatmate
Robinson’s family and flatmate played significant roles in the investigation, cooperating with police to encourage Robinson’s self-surrender. His mother recognized him upon seeing a news photo of the suspect and became suspicious, leading to a conversation that eventually caused Robinson to turn himself in, with assistance from a retired deputy sheriff friend of the family.
Details of the Text Messages
Robinson’s messages to his flatmate revealed his plan to shoot Kirk, with the note found under his keyboard stating his intent. Subsequent messages included a mix of meme-like bullet engravings and the fact that Robinson had been planning the attack for over a week.
Robinson also mentioned that his father was a registered Republican and a strong supporter of the MAGA movement.
Next Steps
A second hearing has been scheduled for September 29 at 10 am (16:00 GMT), to be held on WebEx, where a lawyer will be appointed to represent Robinson. He will remain in custody without bail.
