2News Investigates discovers possible missing evidence in Charlie Kirk murder case

2News Investigates uncovered possible missing surveillance video of Tyler Robinson turning himself in to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office just days after allegedly shooting and killing Charlie Kirk.

"Our job was not to interview; our job was just to get him here,” said Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby on Sept. 17. “Within the hour, my friend drove Tyler and his parents to my office, where he was greeted by plainclothes detectives.”

2News filed a public records request with the Washington County Sheriff's Office for video showing Robinson entering the Washington County Jail/holding area and video of Robinson in a holding room.

“We do not have any records responsive to this portion of the request, as Tyler Robinson did not go to or enter the jail area,” wrote a records officer with the Sheriff's Office. Holding room video was denied as part of the investigation.

A few weeks later, 2News reupped the request in a more generalized fashion, inquiring for “surveillance video showing Tyler Robinson walking into Washington County Sheriff’s Office.”

“Our office does not have any applicable records responsive to this request, as the surveillance footage is no longer available after the 30-day retention period,” wrote a records officer.

When asked if the video was shared with any law enforcement or legal agency, the department responded, “It is my understanding it was never sent out to any agency.”

2News took questions to Rudy Bautista, a criminal defense attorney of 26 years in Utah who works on capital cases, including a current case in Utah County involving the death penalty.

“For the state of Utah, we would certainly hope that this video is available,” Bautista said. “If in fact it has been destroyed and not preserved, it's very concerning. And if it has, then it's very concerning that they're telling you they don't have it. If they no longer have it, I would have expected to say that this video has been provided to the Utah County law enforcement. But instead, this letter leads, in my opinion, as trying to shut the door and not give you free access to the press.”

Bautista said video evidence of Robinson turning himself in would be “crucial for the defense work of mitigation.”

He also believes the case involving Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with crimes involving the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, is not a death penalty case.

“Mr. Kirk, by all counts, was a great young man who was helping educate people, and we encourage that, and this is very tragic that he's lost his life, but it is not a death penalty case,” Bautista said.

Bautista looks at the alleged murder weapon and believes that since only one shot was fired and the weapon didn’t allow for any "automatic" gunfire, there is not an aggravating factor to warrant the aggravated murder charge.

“The rifle was determined to be a Mauser Model 98, .30-06 caliber bolt action rifle,” police wrote in Robinson’s probable cause affidavit. “The rifle had a scope mounted on top of it. Investigators noted inscriptions that had been engraved on casings found with the rifle.”

“The risk of hitting someone else really isn't there,” Bautista said. “That's why I believe that that aggravating factor is really weak now. Why it was charged that way is clearly political.”

Prior to Robinson’s arrest, many political figures started calling for the death penalty as a possible sentence, including President Donald Trump on a national television platform and a reminder from Gov. Spencer Cox during a press conference.

“Instead of looking at it objectively, a prosecutor is to look at the evidence objectively and then charge the person with the most applicable crime. Here, where they're saying it will be this crime, they're trying to make the facts fit a cause of action that is not applicable,” Bautista said. “It certainly suggests abuse in our higher government.”

_______________
Hit the subscribe button to stay up-to-date on the latest news, and turn on the notifications to get alerted when the big stories break as we bring them to you live!

For all the full stories seen here, go to kutv.com.

Follow KUTV 2News on our other social media pages for more photos, videos and reports:
Facebook: KUTV2News
TikTok: @kutv2news
X: @kutv2news
Instagram: @kutv2news
Threads: @kutv2news
Bluesky: @kutv2news.bsky.social

_______________
KUTV is a Utah-based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to nearly 200 television stations in 86 markets. Sinclair's television group reaches close to 40% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates.

#kutv #saltlakecity #news #utah