The Tyler Robinson preliminary hearing took a dramatic turn Wednesday when a judge ordered redactions to video testimony from the defendant’s former lover before it can be shown in court. The ruling sets the stage for a tense conclusion to the week-long proceedings, with the footage now expected to play Thursday morning.

A Delay Over Redactions

Video testimony from Lance Twiggs, the former lover of Tyler Robinson, the man suspected of assassinating conservative figure Charlie Kirk, was originally slated to be shown Wednesday. But a wave of objections from the defense prompted Judge Tony Graf Jr. to call for edits.

Rather than rush, prosecutors said they preferred to wait until morning to ensure they could fully comply with the court’s order before presenting the video.

An Emotional Scene in the Gallery

The hearing carried heavy emotional weight for Kirk’s family. His widow, Erika Kirk, shared several embraces with her mother-in-law, Kathy Kirk, and was seen wiping away tears as the proceedings unfolded.

At one point, the family attorney, Jeff Neiman, urged the court to play the unredacted footage for “all the world to see.” From the gallery, Erika Kirk appeared to encourage him to approach the podium, a first since the hearing began Monday.

Neiman argued that showing only a redacted version risked sowing doubt and distrust in the judicial system. He told the judge that the Kirk family strongly believes any evidence admitted during the hearing should be made fully public, without redactions. He added that the court had the tools to ensure a fair trial and could rely on them as needed.

The Judge’s Decision

Despite the family’s plea, Graf sided with the defense on the question of redactions. He agreed to cut roughly 16 minutes from the approximately 37-minute video statement from Twiggs, following concerns raised by Robinson’s attorney, Richard Novak.

Novak had objected on constitutional grounds to televising what he described as a “confession” before trial, though he stressed that the defense does not view the material that way.

What the Video Is Expected to Show

The full footage reportedly captures Twiggs discussing texts, chat logs, and a note that the defense acknowledged prosecutors and the public might interpret as a confession from Robinson.

Some of those alleged messages have already surfaced publicly. In them, prosecutors say Robinson mentioned being “stuck in Orem,” the location of the shooting, and appeared to take responsibility by indicating he was the one who did it. References to those texts are expected to be redacted from the version shown Thursday, though the judge said he would still weigh them when making his probable cause determination.

A Defendant Under Visible Strain

Throughout the hearing, Robinson appeared visibly uneasy at times, particularly when Twiggs, his lover at the time of the shooting, was mentioned. He was seen taking deep breaths, fidgeting, and adjusting his suit jacket.

Robinson has not yet entered a plea, and he could face the death penalty if convicted.

What Comes Next

Judge Graf also provided clarity on the timeline, stating that the preliminary hearing will conclude by 5 p.m. Friday. That announcement put to rest speculation that the planned five-day hearing might stretch longer.

As the day’s proceedings ended and everyone rose, Erika and Kathy Kirk shared a tearful embrace, a quiet moment underscoring the deep personal toll behind a case that has drawn national attention.