Overview
- Prosecutors played a partly redacted April 20 police interview with Lance Twiggs on Thursday in a weeklong preliminary hearing where they say Twiggs recounts Tyler Robinson admitting the killing and expressing regret.
- The state introduced a package of corroborating material including text messages, a photographed handwritten note, surveillance video tracking campus movements, and forensic exhibits such as DNA from a towel and ballistics evidence tied to a bolt‑action rifle.
- Defense lawyers criticized the forensic links and chain of custody, pointed to an ATF examiner saying one bullet‑fragment test was inconclusive, and urged limits on evidence they say could prejudice a future jury.
- Courtroom disputes over redactions, a briefly flashed image of the alleged note on the livestream, and muting of portions of the hearing have set up a legal fight over public access versus protecting a fair trial.
- The judge paused after the prosecution rested, scheduled additional briefing and oral argument, and will decide whether there is probable cause to bind Robinson over for trial where Utah prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty.