Erika Kirk was heard crying in court Thursday as ‘apology’ text messages from Tyler Robinson to his trans lover Lance Twiggs were read aloud.

A dramatic weeklong evidence hearing has been underway for Robinson, 23, who faces the death penalty if he is convicted of murdering Kirk in front of thousands of people at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. 

Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, wept as Agent Ryan Davis from the State Bureau of Investigations read out text messages between Tyler Robinson and his lover Lance Twiggs on the stand. 

In texts dated September 10, the day of Charlie Kirk’s murder, Robinson said that his grandfather’s hunting rifle worked ‘just fine’ shortly after the alleged assassin took his shot at the Utah Valley University campus.

The texts further allegedly showed Robinson telling Twiggs to ‘drop what you’re doing, look under my keyboard.’ 

Prosecutors said that the note read, ‘I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.’

Twiggs said in a recorded police interview that the note panicked him, and his texts presented in court show him replying: ‘What? You’re joking right? You weren’t the one who did it right?’

Robinson allegedly replied, ‘I am, I’m sorry.’

Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, could be heard crying in court today as Agent Ryan Davis read out text messages between Tyler Robinson and his lover Lance Twiggs

In texts dated September 10, the day of Charlie Kirk’s murder, Robinson allegedly told Twiggs to ‘drop what you’re doing, look under my keyboard’

 Robinson also allegedly discussed trying to get rid of the rifle used to shoot Kirk 

Robinson allegedly then discussed trying to get rid of the rifle used to shoot Kirk, writing: ‘If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence’

Robinson’s message continued, ‘I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down. It’s quiet, almost enough to get but, there’s one vehicle lingering.’

Twiggs then asked Robinson why he did it, and Robinson allegedly replied, ‘I had enough of his hatred, some hate cannot be negotiated out.

Robinson continued, ‘If I’m able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven’t seen anything in the news about them finding it. Will update shortly, I will update you by midnight.’

Twiggs appeared to ask Robinson how long he had been planning the alleged assassination.

Robinson allegedly replied, ‘A bit over a week I believe.’

Robinson said he had still planned to go to work in the hours following Kirk’s death as he attempted to lay low, and that he had wanted to see if the ‘road closer’ to the UVU campus was open so he could ‘drive past and check s*** out.’

Earlier in the hearing, Robinson appeared to panic and sweat as a part of recorded testimony from Twiggs was played to the court.

Twiggs, wearing a suit with long hair, appeared deadpan as he rattled off details about the morning of Kirk’s murder in a recorded interview with officials.

Robinson’s lover, Twiggs (above), rattled off details about the morning of Kirk’s murder in a recorded interview with officials

Tyler Robinson is pictured moments before Twiggs’ police interview recording was played in court on Thursday, appearing to wipe sweat from his brow 

The Turning Point USA founder’s family previously filed a request demanding that recorded testimony from Robinson’s lover be played in full after Judge Tony F Graf Jr ruled a portion of it could be redacted.

In the recorded testimony, Twiggs said that when Robinson returned home the day after Kirk was killed, the alleged assassin began pacing around their home and avoiding questions.

Twiggs claimed Robinson eventually admitted to the assassination, and said Robinson began crying and told him he wished he ‘had not done it,’ before conceding that he was going to turn himself in.

Twiggs also said he and Robinson first met in 2023 and moved into a shared apartment in St George, Utah.

He and Robinson began a romantic relationship around two months later, Twiggs told investigators.

He said that on the morning Kirk was assassinated, Robinson left early in the morning and claimed he had to work a long shift, and Twiggs did not hear from him again until 11pm that night when he received a message about the note under the keyboard.

Authorities said Twiggs quickly cooperated with investigators and offered his DNA for testing, and this week prosecutors said both Twiggs’ and Robinson’s DNA were found on a towel wrapped around the murder weapon.

In his recorded police interview, Twiggs said he was not especially interested in politics and said he and Robinson never previously discussed Charlie Kirk before the shooting.

Charlie Kirk is pictured on the day he was shot dead in front of a huge crowd at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 

Authorities said that Twiggs, pictured with his family, quickly cooperated with investigators

Twiggs confirmed finding an alleged confession note penned by Robinson, in which he allegedly wrote: ‘I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it’

He said Robinson would occasionally rant about Donald Trump, but said the extent of their discussions about LGBTQ rights was about legislation the President was pushing.

Twiggs also confirmed finding an alleged confession note penned by Robinson, in which the accused killer referred to him by his chosen name ‘Luna,’ instead of Lance.

‘If you are reading this per my text, then I am so sorry. I left the house this morning on a mission, and set an auto text,’ the note read, per the court filings.

‘I am likely dead, or facing a lengthy prison sentence. I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it. I don’t know if I will/have succeeded, but I had hoped to make it home to you. I wish we could have lived in a world where this did not feel necessary.

‘I wish I could have stayed for you and lived our lives together.’

Kirk’s widow, Erika, and his parents, Robert and Kathryn, have been in the courtroom every day for the evidence hearing.

Robinson has not entered a plea in the case. His attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence.