ABC News reporter called Charlie Kirk killer's text messages to transgender partner "Very touching"
Gutman explained not feeling sure “if we have seen an alleged murder with such specific text messages” that were “very touching".
Matt Gutman in a file image.
ABC News reporter Matt Gutman on Tuesday called the text messages Charlie Kirk's killer Tyler Robinson sent to his transgender partner "very touching." Following a press conference in which authorities announced murder charges against the 22-year-old, the journalist was shocked by "such specific text messages" that were released regarding the murder weapon.
Gutman explained not feeling sure “if we have seen an alleged murder with such specific text messages” that were “very touching, in a way, that I think many of us didn’t expect — a very intimate portrait into this relationship between the suspect’s roommate and the suspect himself, with him repeatedly calling his roommate, who is transitioning, calling him ‘my love.’ And ‘I want to protect you, my love.’”
Similarly, the ABC reporter commented, “So, it was this duality of someone who the attorney said not only jeopardized the life of Charlie Kirk and the crowd, but was doing it in front of children, which is one of the aggravating circumstances of this case. And then, on the other hand, he was, you know, speaking so lovingly about his partner. So a very interesting and, as Pierre said, riveting press conference.”
Society
Utah court judge warns Robinson at first appearance that he could face the death penalty
Agustina Blanco
Gutman also said on ABC's live-streaming platform that Robinson's messages to his partner were "heartbreaking on so many levels," and even linked Kirk's murder to the "portrait of a very human person.". Likewise, the journalist explained, "I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a press conference in which we’ve read text messages that are A, so fulsome, so robust, so apparently allegedly self-incriminating and yet, on the other hand, so touching, right? And the terminology he used, he was trying to protect him. He kept calling him ‘my love.’ ‘My reason for doing this is to protect you,’ you know, but also asking him to delete the messages and not speak to law enforcement. So, there’s this heartbreaking duality that we’re seeing very tragically playing out."
Accusations against Robinson
Gray also noted that Robinson was charged with aggravated murder for "intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Charlie Kirk, with great risk of death to others." He also said Kirk's killer is believed to have targeted the conservative activist, "based on his political expression, knowing that children were present and would be witnesses to the homicide."
LATEST
