New footage shown at Kirk hearing shows man on rooftop near shooting scene

New evidence in preliminary hearing

Prosecutors have released new surveillance footage that they say shows the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk running across a rooftop after last year's fatal shooting. The video was played on the second day of a preliminary hearing for accused Tyler Robinson in a Utah court. The hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for Robinson to stand trial.

Suspect's movements on the day of the shooting

Prosecution witness David Hull, Utah's State Bureau of Investigation's lead investigator on the case, walked the court through the security footage on Tuesday. Hull testified that the footage shows the man, allegedly Robinson, repeatedly appearing on campus on the day of the killing. Surveillance footage showed Robinson's vehicle entering a campus parking garage, before a man wearing a maroon shirt, Converse shoes and grey or olive shorts was seen walking across campus. The same man later returned to campus, bought food from Chick-fil-A and headed into a wooded area near the university, Hull said.

When he reappeared on campus, about 90 minutes before the shooting, the man was wearing different clothes and seemingly walking with a limp. Footage then showed the suspect making his way to the Losee Building and rolling over a railing onto the rooftop. Shortly after the fatal shot rang out, the same man can be seen running across the roof, dropping down with an unknown object in his hands and making his way off campus. A rifle was later recovered in the wooded area where investigators believe Robinson entered, Hull told the court.

Defense objections

Robinson's defense team, led by attorney Kathy Nester, has sought to exclude much of the evidence and have the death penalty taken off the table. Nester on cross-examination got Hull to admit that at least one other weapon had been found on campus on the day of the shooting. Hull also said no shell casings were discovered on the rooftop near a suspected sniper position. Nester also said some witnesses had described a different suspect on the rooftop, while others claimed a bald man had been driving the vehicle alleged to be Robinson's.

The defense objected repeatedly during the first two days of the preliminary hearing to video exhibits and testimony on grounds including hearsay, arguing that footage had been edited and that those who originally filmed it were not present. Judge Graf will not determine guilt or innocence but will weigh whether the prosecution has presented strong enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Robinson faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.