DNA evidence from Charlie Kirk assassination disputed by defendant's lawyers

By — Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press By — Matthew Brown, Associated Press Matthew Brown, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/dna-evidence-from-charlie-kirk-assassination-disputed-by-defendants-lawyers Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter DNA evidence from Charlie Kirk assassination disputed by defendant's lawyers Nation Jul 8, 2026 10:10 AM EDT PROVO, Utah (AP) — Lawyers for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk are expected to keep questioning the reliability of DNA testing that prosecutors said links the defendant to the suspected murder weapon when a weeklong hearing continues Wednesday. A member of Tyler Robinson's defense team interrogated a DNA analyst from the FBI on Tuesday about the techniques she used to connect Robinson to a rifle found wrapped inside a towel at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was shot in September while speaking to a crowd. READ MORE: Did a bullet analysis clear Charlie Kirk's suspected killer? What an 'inconclusive' result means Defense lawyer Michael Burt cast doubt on the analyst's conclusions — a theme that's likely to come up again during the five-day preliminary hearing. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. "She can't match Mr. Robinson to the questioned samples," Burt concluded. Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride countered that the reliability of the DNA testing could be examined if the case goes to trial. He suggested the preliminary hearing was not the time to take up the matter. "The point is there are explanations that are susceptible to different interpretations and arguments," McBride said. "The court is going to determine if it meets the threshold of reliability at trial." READ MORE: Former officer describes finding a 'sniper pad' on nearby rooftop after Charlie Kirk assassination Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty in the case. They are trying to convince Judge Tony Graf that they have enough evidence to bring Robinson to trial on an aggravated murder charge. Robinson has not yet entered a plea and his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence. They have, however, sought to get the death penalty taken off the table, so far unsuccessfully. Prosecutors must show they have enough evidence for a trial FBI analyst Amanda Bakker said after Robinson's roommate provided a DNA sample for comparison, she was able to rerun her tests and attribute all of the DNA to two people. Investigators found the towel and suspected murder weapon — a bolt-action rifle with one spent round — in a wooded area near where Kirk was shot. READ MORE: Judge says roommate of Charlie Kirk murder suspect won't testify in person at preliminary hearing DNA on the towel matched to two people, Jennifer Faumuina with the State Bureau of Investigation testified. One was Robins