SUPERS:
1. JEFF GRAY // UTAH COUNTY ATTORNEY
Time: :25-39; :55-1:24; 1:51-2:02
2. CARTER EVANS // CBS NEWS CORRESPONDENT
Time: 2:32- 2:46
INTRO:
Prosecutors detailed some revealing evidence in the case against Tyler Robinson — accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Robinson made his first court appearance virtually from jail Tuesday. He’s accused of aggravated murder — a charge that could bring a death sentence. Carter Evans has the latest.
SCRIPT:
(SOT – TYLER ROBINSON)
(JG) Can you state your name?
(TR) Tyler James Robinson.
THOSE WERE THE ONLY WORDS SPOKEN BY CHARLIE KIRK’S ALLEGED KILLER IN A VIRTUAL COURT APPEARANCE WEDNESDAY.
(SOT – JEFF GRAY)
I am charged with bringing justice for Charlie Kirk.
EARLIER, UTAH COUNTY ATTORNEY JEFF GRAY ANNOUNCED THE SUSPECT’S CHARGES INCLUDE AGGRAVATED MURDER, FELONY DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, AND WITNESS TAMPERING.
(SOT – JEFF GRAY – KUTV KIRK SUSPECT CHARGES PRESSER)
After shooting Mr. Kirk, Robinson hid the gun, discarded the clothing he wore when he fired the rifle, and told his roommate to delete incriminating text messages and not talk to police.
PROSECUTORS SAY AFTER THE SHOOTING, THE SUSPECT TEXTED HIS ROOMMATE — WHO WAS ALSO HIS *ROMANTIC PARTNER* — TO LOOK UNDER HIS KEYBOARD FOR A NOTE THAT READ, QUOTE, “I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE OUT CHARLIE KIRK AND I’M GOING TO TAKE IT.”
(SOT – JEFF GRAY – KUTV KIRK SUSPECT CHARGES PRESSER)
The roommate responded, “What? You’re joking right?” Robinson: “I am still okay, my love, but am stuck in Orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I’ve gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret until I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.” Roommate: “You aren’t the one who did it, right?” Robinson: “I am. I’m sorry.”
PROSECUTORS SAY THE ROOMMATE *PROVIDED* THOSE TEXTS AND IN SUBSEQUENT MESSAGES, THEY CLAIM, WHEN ASKED “WHY” HE SHOT KIRK, THE SUSPECT REPLIED, QUOTE, “I HAD ENOUGH OF THIS HATRED. SOME HATE CAN’T BE NEGOTIATED OUT” — LATER WRITING THAT HE PLANNED THE ASSASSINATION FOR “OVER A WEEK.”
PROSECUTORS ALSO SAY THE SUSPECT APPEARED TO BE CONCERNED OVER HIDING THE ALLEGED MURDER WEAPON, WHICH HE CALLED “GRANDPA’S RIFLE,” ALLEGEDLY TEXTING HIS ROOMMATE:
(SOT – JEFF GRAY – KUTV KIRK SUSPECT CHARGES PRESSER)
“I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find prints. How the *eff* will I explain losing it to my old man?” Robinson again: “Delete this exchange.”
IT WAS THE SUSPECT’S FATHER, PROSECUTORS SAY, WHO CALLED HIS SON AFTER THE F-B-I RELEASED SURVEILLANCE IMAGES OF THE ALLEGED GUNMAN. THEY ALSO CLAIM HIS PARENTS ULTIMATELY TALKED HIM *OUT OF* TAKING HIS OWN LIFE… AND *INTO* MEETING AT THEIR HOME BEFORE TURNING HIMSELF IN.
(SOT – JEFF GRAY)
(CE) Did you investigation uncover any individuals that may’ve known about this shooting in advance?
(JG) They are still looking into it. It’s an undergoing investigation.
(CE) So is that a possibility?
(JG) They haven’t ruled that out.
CARTER EVANS ON CAM TAG:
HIS TEAM HAS OUTLINED THE ALLEGATIONS, THE SUSPECT IS STILL CONSIDERED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. HIS NEXT HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 29th, AND THE JUDGE SAID HE’LL BE GIVEN A COURT-APPOINTED LAWYER.
CARTER EVANS, CBS NEWS, SPANISH FORK, UTAH.
