Amber Robinson has kept her emotions tightly in check throughout the preliminary hearing for her son, Tyler Robinson, but the strain briefly showed this week as testimony continued in the case surrounding the alleged assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The hearing, underway in Utah’s Fourth District Court in Provo, will determine whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence to send the 23-year-old Robinson to trial. He is charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Tyler Robinson’s mom was seen smiling briefly on Tuesday morning while walking toward the courthouse with her husband, Matt Robinson, before the expression disappeared as the couple approached a line of television cameras waiting outside.
Inside the courtroom, the Robinsons have remained largely expressionless through days of testimony, including graphic evidence that prompted Judge Tony Graf to react from the bench and left Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, visibly emotional.
Neither Amber nor Matt Robinson has attempted to interact with their son during the proceedings, and Robinson has not turned to acknowledge them in court.
The first visible sign of emotion came Wednesday, when Tyler Robinson’s mom appeared to fight back tears as a police officer testified about interviewing her following her son’s arrest.
Back in the Robinsons’ hometown of Washington, Utah, neighbors say the family has tried to maintain some sense of normalcy despite the intense national attention surrounding the case.
Longtime neighbor Kristin Schwiermann, who has known the Robinson family for nearly two decades, said Amber and Matt Robinson have continued to work and remain active in the community. She said the family has taken more camping trips in recent months, which she believes has been an effort to step away from the attention surrounding the case and reclaim some sense of normal life.
She described the Robinsons as a close family who spent time hunting and camping together before Tyler Robinson’s arrest.
“It hurts my heart to look at him now,” Schwiermann said. “I wouldn’t ever expect that out of Tyler.
“His parents have always been great and taught their kids well… he was smarter than smart, and he blew it all with one shot.”
According to Schwiermann, Tyler Robinson‘s mom and father have not been ostracized by neighbors despite the allegations against their son.
Tyler Robinson during pretrial hearings
Instead, she said, members of the community have intentionally given the family space while offering quiet support.
“We try to keep it light to get away from it; otherwise, it will eat all of us, too,” Schwiermann said. “We’ve all kind of just stood back and just prayed for them.”
During the Christmas season, neighbors organized a “12 Days of Christmas” effort for the Robinson family, dropping off meals, gift cards, and small gifts at their home.
Schwiermann said she personally left one of her handmade clay nativity sets along with candy for Amber and later received a thank-you text.
She believes much of that support stems from the area’s strong Mormon community and from the role Robinson’s parents allegedly played after the Sept. 10, 2025, shooting at Utah Valley University.
Authorities have said Amber and Matt Robinson recognized their son after investigators released surveillance images of the suspected gunman.
Prosecutors allege Robinson made incriminating statements to his parents and spoke about taking his own life rather than surrendering. Authorities say his family helped persuade him to turn himself in peacefully.
Schwiermann said those actions reflected parents trying to ensure their son survived long enough to face the charges against him rather than helping him avoid accountability.
“We don’t judge,” Schwiermann said. “You can tell they’re loving parents and they’re a great family.”
“It’s just one bad deed their son did that created chaos. I don’t think Tyler thought of that. He was thinking of himself in that moment, his hate. And I don’t think he thought about his family or the effect this would have on them.”
Despite her sympathy for Tyler Robinson’s mom and father, Schwiermann said she supports prosecutors pursuing the death penalty if Robinson is found guilty.
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Prosecutors allege Robinson carried out the attack before later surrendering to authorities following discussions with his family.
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