The family of slain conservative Charlie Kirk is fighting for transparency in the murder trial of Tyler Robinson, demanding the public hear the full interviews with Lance Twiggs — the transgender romantic partner of Kirk’s accused assassin.
During Wednesday’s preliminary hearing, Jeffrey Neiman, attorney for Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk, urged Judge Tony Graf Jr. to release the complete audio of Twiggs’ interviews rather than a heavily redacted version.
“The Kirk family believes strongly that if the evidence is being admitted in this preliminary hearing, it should be made public for the world to see. No redactions.”
Twiggs, who was granted “use immunity,” is cooperating with prosecutors and is expected to be a key witness. According to prosecutors, Robinson allegedly admitted to murdering Kirk in text messages to Twiggs after the shooting and left behind a handwritten note expressing his intent to kill Kirk before the attack.
Neiman argued that transparency is essential to maintaining public trust in the justice system.
“To not be transparent here, to not be open, to not let the world see what happened, will create doubt and distrust in the judicial system, and that’s not what anybody wants,” Neiman told the court. “We’d ask the court to consider the position of the family in making its ultimate decision.”
Full Statement from Kirk Family Representative, Jeffrey Neiman, regarding transparency around the Lance Twiggs interview recording:
“The Kirk family believes strongly that if the evidence is being admitted in this preliminary hearing, it should be made public for the world to… https://t.co/OkbHz0HJLz pic.twitter.com/y5C03suSFh
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) July 8, 2026
Judge Graf ruled against the family’s request, ordering that portions of Twiggs’ interviews would be redacted before being presented during the preliminary hearing. The public will hear only partial recordings.
The judge said he would personally review the complete, unredacted interviews when determining whether prosecutors have established probable cause to send Robinson to trial for Kirk’s murder.
Notably, the ruling applies only to the preliminary hearing and does not determine what evidence a jury may ultimately see or hear at trial. Twiggs could also testify in person at Robinson’s trial.
The DNA evidence tying both Robinson and Twiggs to the crime scene is explosive. According to the FBI, the weapon believed to have been used to murder Kirk was wrapped in a towel containing DNA from both Robinson and Twiggs.
A screwdriver recovered from the rooftop where Robinson allegedly fired also contained DNA from both males, the state said at the hearing.
DNA breakdown on towel and screwdriver where Lance Twiggs’ and Tyler Robinson’s DNA was found from Amanda Bakker, DNA analyst:
Towel: Twiggs 5% Robinson 95%
Screwdriver: Twiggs 11% Robinson 89%
— Lynden Blake (@LyndenBlake) July 7, 2026
The towel’s DNA breakdown showed 95% Robinson, 5% Twiggs. The screwdriver showed 89% Robinson, 11% Twiggs.
Robinson was living with Twiggs at the time of Kirk’s assassination.
The charges remain allegations. The case has not been proven in court.
