Utah prosecutors were in court Monday seeking to convince a state judge they have enough evidence to bring to trial the man accused in Charlie Kirk's assassination and seek the death penalty.

Kirk's parents and widow, Erika Kirk, were in the courtroom for the first time, along with Donald Trump Jr., President Donald Trump's son. But Kirk's family walked out of the courtroom after the prosecution's first witness - a police officer - started testifying about Kirk's arrival on campus the day he was shot.

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The five-day preliminary hearing will mark the most significant presentation of evidence in the case against defendant Tyler Robinson.

Robinson's parents also were present, a few rows behind where the Kirks sat as the hearing began. The 23-year-old defendant is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 assassination of Kirk, a conservative activist and ally of President Donald Trump, at Utah Valley University. Robinson turned himself in the day after the shooting.

Robinson sat quietly between his attorneys on Monday, looking at the prosecution's exhibits on a monitor and occasionally taking notes. He wore a gray suit, and his wrists were shackled to a chain around his waist.

Prosecutors allege he confessed in a note left for his roommate, who was also his romantic partner, that read:  I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it. 

Robinson has not yet entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence. They have, however, sought to get the death penalty taken off the table, so far unsuccessfully.

The proceeding resembles a mini-trial, but prosecutors need only demonstrate that there are reasonable grounds to believe Robinson killed Kirk. The standard is lower than for a trial, where prosecutors must prove guilt  beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Prosecutors expect to present between 40 and 50 exhibits during this week's hearing.

Chief Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander told state District Judge Tony Graf that the exhibits will include several

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