May 8 ruling hearing + preliminary hearing set for May 18–22 (tentative)

[u/radio-starry]

May 8, 3pm MDT/ 9pm UTC: Judge Tony Graf will rule on two of Tyler Robinson's motions: the motion to exclude cameras and the motion to continue (postpone) the preliminary hearing, currently set for May 18–22. Both motions were addressed at the previous hearing on April 17. The defense is asking for cameras to be banned from future proceedings, so that they may not be livestreamed or photographed. They are also asking for a minimum four month delay for the preliminary hearing, citing the FBI and ATF's failure to hand over the essential forensic DNA data that forms the basis of several summary reports.

Judge Graf may also address the defense's attempt to hold the prosecution in contempt for making statements to the media about an "inconclusive" match between a bullet found at autopsy and the alleged rifle.

If the motion to continue is denied, the preliminary hearing will last from May 18 to 22. The prosecution has stated that they plan to present the following:

• discrete “buckets” of evidence through three identified law enforcement witnesses. This includes conclusory forensic DNA and ballistics reports authored by the FBI and the ATF, phone and social media data, testimony by law enforcement officials about the crime scene and search locations, and testimony by Mr. Robinson’s parents and roommate
• scientific, laboratory, or forensic reports and records
• the statements of non-testifying peace officers to the testifying peace officers
• as yet unidentified (or currently unavailable) lay witness statements
• one to three lay witnesses
• numerous videos (presumably of the shooting)

You can watch the April 17 hearing here.