An emotional silence fell over the courtroom Friday as prosecutors played an enhanced video compilation showing the moments leading up to Charlie Kirk’s assassination during Day 5 of Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, and his mother, Kathy Kirk, cried and leaned into one another as the video played. Both women hugged and held tissues while seated with family, friends and supporters in the courtroom.
Kathy Kirk later turned to embrace her husband, Robert Kirk, with a tissue held to her face. Erika Kirk’s sister, Tonya, reached over to comfort her with a hand on her back.
At one point, an investigator seated with the family retrieved a trash can for used tissues.
The courtroom was largely silent as the video played. Robinson did not appear to watch the video with the monitor at his table turned off, and he appeared to look down and straight ahead rather than toward the screen.
Earlier Friday, Judge Tony Graf sanctioned media members after an exhibit was inadvertently shown and broadcast during Thursday’s proceedings. Graf said he did not want to “rush or make snap decisions” before ruling that no further exhibits would be shown for the rest of the day, though the final video compilation was later allowed as an exception.