Erika Kirk fled a Utah courtroom Monday to avoid watching graphic footage of the murder of her tragic husband, Turning Point USA founder Charlie.
The stricken mother of two made her swift exit right before prosecutors played three videos showing the gruesome moment Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck during an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in September.
The Turning Point CEO, who took over leadership of Charlie’s grassroots organization, held hands with her mother-in-law Kathryn in the courtroom.
In addition to his widow and his parents, Charlie’s close pals Donald Trump Jr., with wife Bettina Anderson, and Jack Posobiec were in court.
In a statement ahead of the hearing, Erika emphasized how severe her pain remains.
“We remain deeply grateful for the support, prayers, and kindness we have received. This outpouring has sustained us during the darkest days of our lives.
“Out of respect for the judicial process, we will not be commenting further at this time. We ask for continued privacy as we navigate this process and immense grief,” the heartbroken family concluded.
Robinson’s family sat near a line of uniformed officers.
The suspect — who appeared in a gray suit and shackled at the wrists — otherwise seemed stoic, including as prosecutors displayed photos of the campus and rooftop from which he allegedly shot Kirk with a rifle.
Robinson, 23, also occasionally took notes as his camp questioned witnesses during the proceeding, which is being held so prosecutors can try to prove to the judge they have enough evidence to put him on trial. Robinson faces the death penalty if tried and convicted.
The videos played Monday in court were barred from media broadcast, with Robinson’s lawyers arguing that their depictions in “stark relief” of Kirk’s death could sway potential jurors.
Now-viral videos already posted online shortly after Kirk was murdered in front of thousands of horrified fans showed blood gushing from his neck when he was hit with a .30-06 hunter’s round fired from 200 yards away.
He then slumped over before members of his security team rushed him to the hospital, where he was declared dead.
It appeared at least one of the videos shown in court Monday may be among those already circulated online.
Kirk’s mother, Kathryn Kirk, held a tissue pack and bowed her head as she listened to the testimony, Fox 13 reported from the courtroom.
Judge Tony Graf emphasized that attendees may return to court once they had left, when the court reconvened.
Security was on high alert for the proceeding, with a half-dozen officers in SWAT gear inside the courthouse and more agents positioned on the roof, according to Fox 13.Robinson’s defense had moved to block media cameras from the courtroom, arguing that up-to-the-minute coverage would sway the public — and potential jurors — against their client before the trial even began.
His lawyers also objected to every single piece of evidence introduced. They only won on a single video — which appeared to have been edited. The judge told prosecutors to submit an unedited version of the footage for the court to review.