One week after the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, questions are surfacing about key pieces of evidence released in the case. Some of the strongest criticism is coming from those closest to Kirk, who say a text exchange central to the prosecution doesn’t add up.
Candace Owens calls messages ‘doctored’
Conservative commentator Candace Owens, a close friend of Kirk, has publicly challenged the legitimacy of the text messages between suspect Tyler Robinson and his roommate, who is also Robinson’s transgender partner, according to authorities. In the exchange, Robinson’s roommate asks whether Robinson was responsible for the shooting. Robinson reportedly replies, “I am, I’m sorry.”
Owens, after reviewing the documented thread, said the chain struck her as doctored.
“This chain is weird to me, it’s weird to me,” Owens said on her podcast. “These messages are clearly doctored is what I would say. They’re doctored.”
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
Other voices echo skepticism
Owens is not alone in her concerns.
Steve Bannon said on his podcast, “I’m not buying all of it, particularly I’m not buying the text messages. It just seems too much like a script, actually, like a bad script. We’ve got to get to the bottom of it.”
Other commentators have suggested the texts read more like a “script” than a genuine exchange. A post from one social media account stating the messages were “most likely fabricated” has been viewed more than four million times.
Catturd, another popular conservative account with millions of followers, described the messages as sounding “like a script.”
Prosecutors decline to confirm authentication
The Utah County Attorney’s Office, which included the texts in its charging document, responded to an inquiry from Straight Arrow News but declined to confirm whether the messages were authenticated before being submitted. When asked if the thread was verified or if original screenshots would be released, the office said it would not comment beyond what is already included in the probable cause statement.
According to that document, the messages were handed over to police by Robinson’s roommate. The timeline of the exchange remains unclear, with ellipses in the texts indicating possible gaps or omitted content.
Concerns over legal process and ‘oversharing’
While many are calling for greater transparency, some legal analysts warn that releasing too much evidence too early could jeopardize the case.
Constitutional attorney KrisAnne Hall criticized the state for disclosing unvetted testimony and evidence, writing on X that “oversharing inculpatory evidence like this is a huge constitutional no-no.”
Hall argued that while press freedom is essential, it must not come at the expense of a defendant’s right to a fair trial.
Calls for answers continue
As the case unfolds, many invested in Kirk’s death say they want answers, clarity, and justice. Authorities have only released limited details to the public so far, and questions remain about what additional information investigators have gathered.
