Did Tyler Robinson not kill Charlie Kirk? Analysis of the bullet fired has raised questions

The murder of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk last September had left an already polarised United States further divided. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old from Utah, was arrested for allegedly killing Kirk, a staunch ally of US President Donald Trump.

However, a twist has now rocked the case as new legal documents reportedly reveal that the bullet used to commit the crime does not match the rifle tied to the suspect. The findings have again fuelled the conspiracy theories by far-right influencers, such as Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson, who claim a larger conspiracy behind Kirk’s murder.

Let’s take a closer look.

Did Tyler Robinson not kill Charlie Kirk?

1. A bullet analysis has raised questions about who killed Charlie Kirk.

2. As per Tyler Robinson’s defence team, an analysis from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a US federal law enforcement agency, was “unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle” found near the scene and linked to the young suspect, TMZ reported.

3. The rifle in question was reportedly recovered by the police from a site near Utah Valley University in Utah’s Orem, where Kirk was shot during a speech. At the time of Robinson’s arrest, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said that bullet casings recovered near the deadly shooting were engraved with anti-fascist and taunting messages .

4. The accuracy of forensic ballistics analysis mostly relies on the size and condition of the bullet fragments. Experts examine unique, microscopic markings left on a bullet as it passes through the gun’s barrel, according to Associated Press (AP).

5. A report by Daily Mail states that his lawyers plan to use the testimony of the analyst as evidence to argue that Robinson was not behind Kirk’s shooting. Robinson’s defence team said in recent court filings, “Although the State has not indicated an intent to produce this report at the preliminary hearing, the defence may very well decide to offer the testimony of the ATF firearm analyst as exculpatory evidence.”

6. Robinson’s legal team has argued that many categories of forensic evidence are still not complete. They added that they would not be able to determine whether the evidence is reliable if it reaches court until they have access to full case files and testing protocols and get it reviewed by their experts.

7. The defence lawyers have asked to defer a preliminary hearing scheduled in May. They said they need time to review a huge pile of material, including more than 20,000 files handed over by prosecutors, and the bullet analysis that could contribute to Robinson’s defence.

8. Earlier, Robinson’s lawyers had called on the trial to be televised, saying … “Keeping court proceedings as public as possible helps to quell and contradict the tide of misinformation,” while secrecy stokes conspiracy theories.

Has Robinson already confessed to killing Kirk?

1. Robinson was arrested for allegedly killing Kirk after a 33-hour manhunt last September.  Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, a group that promotes conservative ideas among students and young voters, was speaking at his ‘American Comeback Tour’ at Utah Valley University on September 10 when he was shot in the neck.

2. It was reported that Robinson’s father coaxed him to go to the police, even getting a youth pastor involved to help him, after he apparently confessed or implied his involvement in the killing of the young conservative activist.

3. The youth pastor then called the US Marshals, who took Robinson into custody. The suspect ultimately surrendered at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

4. Prosecutors claim that Robinson confessed to killing Kirk to his romantic partner . In messages sent to his trans partner, Lance Twiggs, Robinson reportedly said he had “had enough of his [Kirk’s] hatred” and that “some hate can’t be negotiated out”. They said these messages gave the clearest explanation of a motive behind Kirk’s killing.

5. Robinson is facing seven charges, including aggravated murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for him.

With inputs from agencies