Lawyers for man charged with killing Charlie Kirk try to sow doubt about DNA evidence

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/lawyers-for-man-charged-with-killing-charlie-kirk-try-to-sow-doubt-about-dna-evidence Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Lawyers for man charged with killing Charlie Kirk try to sow doubt about DNA evidence Nation Jul 10, 2026 2:31 PM EDT PROVO, Utah (AP) — Lawyers for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk redoubled their efforts Friday to raise doubts about DNA evidence that authorities said links Tyler Robinson to the suspected murder weapon. A Utah judge is deciding whether prosecutors have enough evidence to put Robinson on trial on a charge of aggravated murder. Kirk, 31, was killed as he spoke to a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. READ MORE: Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing said 'he wishes he hadn't done it,' roommate says in video One of Robinson's attorneys, Michael Burt, has repeatedly questioned the reliability of DNA tests cited by prosecutors during this week's preliminary hearing. Investigators said the tests linked Robinson to evidence including a rifle found near where Kirk was shot, ammunition and a tool that he allegedly used to etch messages onto bullet cartridges. Burt used testimony Friday from a government DNA analyst to highlight the limitations of such tests. He noted that government policies don't allow analysts to say that DNA evidence is "infallible" or that it has a "zero error rate." He also indicated it's possible for DNA to be transported by a third party. "If you had a lot of DNA on your hand, we shook hands and I went to pick up an exhibit, a gun, and I touched the trigger of it, your DNA could be on that trigger, right?" Burt asked Caitlin Oliver, a forensic biologist with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. "It is possible. Yes," Oliver replied. Experts say the science behind DNA testing is sound. Before Oliver testified, Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander questioned the relevance of bringing her on as a witness. He suggested prosecutors already had met the burden of proof needed to advance the case to trial. "Your honor's heard four days of testimony now. The evidence is overwhelming. It's devastating," Grunander said. READ MORE: DNA evidence from Charlie Kirk assassination disputed by defendant's lawyers On Thursday, Robinson's team questioned ballistics tests on a bullet fragment recovered from Kirk's body. Authorities sought to tie the fragment to the suspected murder weapon, but the results were inconclusive. "Saying anything but inconclusive was inappropriate," said Samantha Karner with the ATF. Robinson has not entered a plea. He turned himself in a day after the fatal shooting of Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump credited with helping galvanize young voters