Prosecutors Seek Trial in Charlie Kirk Murder Case

Ryan talks with ABC News Legal Analyst Royal Oakes about prosecutors moving forward with a trial for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. They discuss the latest legal developments and what could happen next in the case.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Ryan Gorman Show podcast presented by Verah and Farah.
Accident attorney's Tamma.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
Let me bring in ABC News legal analyst Royal Oaks
to talk about this fine day preliminary hearing tied to
the trial for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. So, Royal,
what should we know about this preliminary hearing? These proceedings
that began yesterday?

Speaker 3 (00:26):
So the preliminary hearing is a mini trial. It's going
to last a week, whereas the trial could last many weeks.
And basically it's just an overview of the prosecution's case.
And there's not much pressure on the prosecution because bottom
line is, all you have to do is satisfy a
low probable cause hurdle, which is a reasonable person would
suspect a crime is committed. You don't have to go

(00:48):
for the trial standard of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Speaker 2 (00:51):
What could we potentially learn that we don't already know
about the case the prosecution has against Tyler Robinson.

Speaker 3 (01:00):
We could learn the nature of the DNA evidence that
allegedly ties Robinson to the rifle. We could learn more
details we've heard broadbrush information about him. Basically acknowledging that
he wanted to kill Charlie Kirk, who was planning to
do this. He may have told this to his partner,
either electronic or written confessions that we've heard vague references to,

(01:24):
so we could see a lot more detail as part
of this week long preliminary hearing.

Speaker 2 (01:29):
When it comes to the judge's decision whether or not
prosecutors have shown reasonable grounds for the case to proceed
to trial. You mentioned the bar they have to clear.
It's obviously lower than what they would have to clear
during a trial with a jury.

Speaker 3 (01:48):
That's exactly right. Everybody's heard from count those TV shows
guilt beyond reasonable doubt. It's not easy for the prosecution
to satisfy that burden at the trial, But in a
preliminary hearing, not only the bar lower, but also the
evidentiary rules are easier. For example, at trial, you can't
have a police officer to say, well, witnesses A, B
and C told me X, Y and Z. That's a

(02:10):
classic hear say you have to be able to cross
examine witnesses A, B and C. But at a prelim
the judge is fine with just investigators or detectives giving
an overview, basically reading from their files about what the
allegations consist of.

Speaker 2 (02:24):
So you would anticipate this likely proceeding to trial once
the hearing is done.

Speaker 3 (02:30):
Oh yeah, you want to bet the house on it.
In general, it's a safe bet here where we know
so much about the physical evidence, the planning, the eyewitnesses.
It would be quite a shock if the defense came
up with something that would cause the judge to say, now,
I don't think we've even seen probable cause to think
this man is guilty.

Speaker 2 (02:49):
Last question for you, and again we're trying by ABC
News Legal analyst Royal Oaks. Will we learn anything from
the defense during this preliminary hearing?

Speaker 3 (02:58):
Probably very little, big How does the defense knows that
is essentially a hopeless cause to get the judge to
say no trial. The defense knows that although they certainly
want to influence public opinion and thus possible jurors, they
also don't want to tip their hand. They don't want
to give the prosecution too much information about where they
might be coming from, especially in a case where there
may not be a very solid defense. Maybe it'll be

(03:20):
a metal health defense. We just don't know how they're
going to respond to the allegations.

Speaker 2 (03:25):
And of course we'll see this play out throughout the week.
But at the moment, how strong of a case do
you think the prosecution has?

Speaker 3 (03:32):
Extremely strong. You've got DNA with the rifle, You've got
essentially an admission electronically and in writing. It's going to
be very difficult to knock the prosecution off balance.

Speaker 2 (03:44):
All right. ABC News Legal analyst Royal oaks with us
this morning. Royal, really appreciate the time and insight.

Speaker 3 (03:49):
Thanks so much, you bet, Thanks we go.

Speaker 1 (03:53):
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