A Fox News contributor harshly criticized those who subscribe to conspiracy theories about the assassination of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, arguing that the ongoing trial of alleged assassin Tyler Robinson amply demonstrates that he acted alone.
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“Just reviewing some of the courtroom notes, some of the color from the courtroom, Erika Kirk, when she walked in, there was eye contact with the judge, and you just have to wonder what’s going through her head when you think about all her battles so far battling against the defense that has been trying to delay this trial, to keep the media out of the courtroom and how hard this has been for her,” Fox News host Sandra Smith told Fox News contributor David Webb on Monday.
Webb replied, “And her statement…’The public should see this.’ This assassination was public, which speaks to the public interest. More on the process.”
The journalist then explained how the early stages of the trial have shed light on the ludicrousness of claiming that Kirk’s death was part of a greater conspiracy.
“The death penalty arguments that were initially made, the defense wanted that taken off,” Webb said. “That is a negotiation tool for prosecutors. And that’s why it should be there, in my opinion. There should be everything on the table. The fact that they’re also trying to taint this, this slow process, is about dragging it out to introduce any form of doubt, right? Oftentimes you think of jury nullification or polluting the jury pool, or even the public jury, which matters in this case.”
He added, “The evidence, by all terms so far, shows that he committed this act. I don’t think that’s the question. It’s a matter of how far the punishment goes. So they haven’t been able to take the death penalty out. Hearsay evidence is being allowed in, the testimony by [Robinson’s former roommate and romantic partner Lance] Twiggs being giving by statement. So now it’s degrees for the defense.”
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Webb finally concluded, “But the fact is this is a public interest case. There have been high-profile assassinations throughout our history, unfortunately. And the public should also see this because justice has to be both public and served.”
“Yeah, amen to that,” Smith responded.
Ever since Kirk’s death, the stories around the shooting have proven to be fertile ground for conspiracy theories. In March Joe Kent, President Donald Trump’s former National Counterterrorism Center Director argued to right wing commentator Tucker Carlson that he believed a “foreign nexus” was behind Kirk’s death.
“Things really got going on Tuesday when Kent told conservative writer (and two-time failed California gubernatorial candidate) Michael Shellenberger he’d be willing to testify in accused Kirk murderer Tyler Robinson’s defense that the FBI botched the investigation,” observed The Bulwark’s conservative pundit Will Sommer at the time. “Kent told Shellenberger he was warned his own inquiry into Kirk’s murder—which he operated from his government post, separately from the FBI—could hurt the prosecution against Robinson.”
Kent then added to Carlson, “I was definitely warned of that over and over again. If I end up having to [be called as a witness], then I’ll do it. It’s not something I’m seeking.”
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