Charlie Kirk's parents and widow Erika set to hear distressing NEW evidence about conservative star's murder at crucial Tyler Robinson court hearing

By NATASHA ANDERSON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Charlie Kirk's parents and widow Erika are set to appear in Utah court this week as prosecutors lay out distressing new evidence against the conservative activist's alleged killer. The five-day preliminary hearing beginning today will be the first time members of Kirk's family are in the courtroom with accused assassin Tyler Robinson. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against the 23-year-old and will argue that he should stand trial for murder. Robinson, 23, is charged with aggravated murder in the September 10 assassination of Kirk, who was shot dead while addressing a crowd of thousands during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. The accused killer turned himself in after the shooting and prosecutors allege that he also sent a text message confession to his partner. He has not entered a plea in the case. His attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence. Charlie Kirk's parents and widow Erika will face his alleged killer Tyler Robinson in a Utah courtroom this week. The conservative star's loved ones are expected to attend the weeklong hearing, which will see prosecutors argue why Robinson should stand trial for Kirk's September 10 assassination. This will mark the first time the Turning Point USA founder's family has attended court proceedings in Provo, Utah. Kirk's father Robert, mother Kathryn, and widow Erika will be at the hearing as a 'unified support system,' a source familiar with the situation told The Salt Lake Tribune. The family, however, may leave the courtroom before the prosecution details 'graphic' or 'sensitive' evidence, the source added. This week's proceedings will resemble a minitrial, with prosecutors planning to offer DNA evidence linking Robinson to the suspected murder weapon, testimony from investigators, autopsy findings, witness statements and video of Kirk's killing. They are not required to present all their evidence and can use secondhand information, or hearsay. The hearing will be livestreamed. This week prosecutors need only demonstrate that there are reasonable grounds to believe Robinson killed Kirk. The standard is lower than for a trial, where prosecutors have to prove guilt 'beyond a reasonable doubt.' After the hearing concludes, state District Judge Tony Graf must determine if the case should proceed. Erika, who took the helm of TPUSA after her husband's death, pushed to maintain public access to Robinson's prosecution when defense attorneys sought to exclude cameras from the courtroom. She forgave Robinson during her husband's memorial service. Prosecutors have said accused killer Tyler Robinson left a note for his roommate and romantic partner Lance Twiggs confessing to the killing. The note read, 'I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I´m going to take it.' They also said he wrote to Twigg in a text message about Kirk: 'I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out.' But ahead of the trial, Twigg - Robinson's transgender lover - was granted 'use-immunity' for a statement he gave to officials on April 20. Prosecutors plan to use the 22-year-old's recorded statement, as well as his communications with Robinson around the time of Kirk's murder, at today's preliminary hearing, according to a filing obtained by Fox News . The legal protection means that the statement Twiggs made to authorities following Kirk's death 'could not be used against him,' prosecutors said in the filing. Two weeks ago, the judge overseeing Tyler Robinson's case backed the defense in a key ruling. Judge Tony Graf held Utah County Prosecutor Christopher Ballard in 'civil contempt' of court after the prosecutor went on a mounting a 'media tour' to talk about ballistic evidence in the case. But there was bad news for Robinson's team too, after Judge Graf refused to remove the possibility of the suspect facing the death penalty, saying such a sanction would have been 'grossly disproportionate' to the contempt. Erika Kirk will come face-to-face with the man accused of killing her husband as prosecutors begin laying out their evidence in the nation’s most closely watched assassination case. Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing, scheduled today through Friday in Provo, won’t be a trial. Rather, Judge Tony Graf Jr. will hear evidence to decide whether there’s enough ‘reasonable suspicion’ that the 23-year-old Southern Utah man gunned down Turning Point USA’s controversial founder last year for the death penalty case against him to move forward. ‘There’s no doubt that there is,’ Teneille Brown, a law professor and evidence expert at the University of Utah. Brown expects Erika Kirk’s courtroom presence will cause a distraction in a hearing that won’t invite her testimony. ‘She’s been pushing for cameras in there, putting herself front and center as if she’s involved. But this is solely between the State of Utah and Tyler Robinson. She’s not a party in this case,’ she said. The hearing will be covered by the Daily Mail and livestreamed for the public.