The judge overseeing the Charlie Kirk assassination case visibly winced when the court was shown disturbing footage of the moment accused gunman Tyler Robinson shot the Turning Point USA founder through the neck.
Judge Tony Graf flinched and moved his seat back while watching his monitor on the bench during Monday’s hearing in Utah — when Erika Kirk faced her husband’s alleged killer for the first time.
He then gathered himself and calmly stated, “And that concludes state’s Exhibit 8,” the New York Times reported.
Robinson, 23, is accused of shooting Kirk, 31, from long range while he was speaking in front of thousands of spectators at an event at Utah Valley University in September 2025.
Horrific footage circulated on social media afterwards captured the moment the conservative activist was shot in the neck — with blood spewing from the wound as the terrified crowd screamed and ran for their lives.
Erika Kirk, who attended the hearing with her late husband’s parents, made her swift exit from courtroom right before prosecutors played three videos showing the gruesome killing.
Robinson, meanwhile, appeared to smile at various times during the hearing while talking to one of his lawyers.
During this week’s multi-day hearing in Provo, Judge Graf will determine whether there is enough evidence for Robinson to face criminal trial — an alternative to seeking a grand jury indictment under Utah state law.
Robinson allegedly admitted to the shooting in messages with his trans lover Lance Twiggs, which are among the evidence prosecutors will present at the hearing.
He has not yet entered a plea and faces the death penalty, if convicted.
