07/10/2026 — Preliminary Hearing Day 5
:::caution Legal Disclaimer Tyler Robinson is charged, not convicted. Nothing on this page is a finding that any living person committed a crime, lied under oath, or acted improperly. Court testimony and press accounts are reported and may be incomplete. All persons named are presumed innocent. :::
| Field | Reported value |
|---|---|
| Date | 07/10/2026 (Friday) |
| Category | Preliminary hearing — Day 5 / close of testimony |
| Related transcript material | Day 4 file (site transcript bundle covers late-week forensics); press Day 5 coverage |
What happened
Final day of the week-long prelim.
Caitlin Oliver (ATF DNA section chief)
DNA statistics on rifle samples — press reports ≥1 trillion times more likely Robinson contributed than not (lab max statistic). Defense (Michael Burt) elicits that policies bar calling DNA "infallible" / "zero error rate," and that transfer via third party is possible. Chad Grunander argues the court has already heard overwhelming evidence for probable cause.
Closing of evidence
State rests. Robinson does not testify. Court sets bind-over briefing with oral argument 09/01/2026. Kirk family statement: process "important step," evidence "overwhelming," continue transparency prayer. Family had pushed mid-week for unredacted public exhibits.
Emotional moment
Surveillance of figure on roof played more openly for gallery at family request; Erika Kirk and Charlie's mother react visibly (AP/ABC pool).
What the hearing does not decide
Probable cause only — not guilt. Full trial (if bound over) would re-litigate forensics, Miranda/Discord timing, and alternative leads under higher stakes.
Sources
- AP / ABC7 07/10/2026 wrap; CNN takeaways 07/11/2026; Deseret live coverage
- People on Witness Stand
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Interesting
- The judge reportedly imposed a gag order neither side requested.
- A measured fragment of about .301 versus .308 anchors the not-a-.30-06 argument.
- Event SD cards were reportedly pulled within minutes of the shooting.