Lawyers for suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination push to limit media access in case
The murder of Charlie Kirk is an American tragedy. Charlie Kirk was murdered while engaging in one of our most sacred and cherished American rites. The bedrock of our democratic republic, the free exchange of ideas in *** search for truth, understanding and *** more perfect union. It is also an offense against the state. And to the peace and enjoyment of the people of Utah and of all those who visit here. But Charlie Kirk’s murder also strikes *** more personal and intimate chord. Charlie Kirk was first and foremost *** husband and *** father to two beautiful young children. He was *** son, he was *** brother and *** friend. Like all murders, the senseless and needless taking of Charlie Kirk’s life. Has shattered the lives of those he loved and those who loved him. To Charlie’s wife Erica, his two young children, his parents, his family. And his friends, I express my sincere condolences and offer my heartfelt prayers on your behalf. I also want to express my concern for everyone. Who was at Charlie’s Turning Point USA event at the university or University of Utah Valley University and all who have been impacted by this tragedy. As county attorney, I am charged with bringing justice to those who offend our laws. I am charged. With bringing justice for those who harm, for those who are harmed, I am charged with bringing justice for Charlie Kirk. I am committed to these aims. I take this responsibility seriously. Today, after reviewing the evidence that law enforcement has collected thus far, I am filing *** criminal information charging Tyler James Robinson, age 22, with the following crimes. Count one aggravated murder, *** capital offense for intentionally or knowingly causing the death of Charlie Kirk under circumstances that created *** great risk of death to others. Count 2 felony discharge of *** firearm causing serious bodily injury, *** first degree felony. The state is further alleging aggravating factors on counts 1 and 2 because the defendant is believed to have targeted Charlie Kirk based on Charlie Kirk’s political expression and did so knowing that children were present and would witness the homicide. The state is also charging defendant with count 3, obstruction of justice, *** second degree felony. For moving and concealing the rifle used in the shooting. Count 4, obstruction of justice, *** 3rd degree. *** 2nd degree felony for disposing the clothing he wore during the shooting. Count 5 witness tampering, *** 3rd degree felony for directing his roommate to delete his incriminating texts. Count 6 witness tampering, *** 3rd degree felony for directing his roommate to stay silent if police questioned him. And count 7 commission of *** violent offense in the presence of *** child, *** class *** misdemeanor for committing homicide, knowing that children were present and may have seen or heard the murder and did so based on Charlie Kirk’s political expression. Also, following the press conference, I am filing *** notice of intent to seek the death penalty. I do not take this decision lightly, and it is *** decision I have made independently. As county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime. Because we are seeking the death penalty, the defendant will continue to be held without bail in the Utah County jail. Turning to the 10 page. Information. These are the allegations. On September 10th, 2025 at approximately 12:23 p.m., Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking to *** large crowd on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Police found the suspected murder weapon, *** bolt action 30 06 rifle nearby. Over the next approximately 33 hours. Police conducted *** manhunt manhunt for the shooter until the evening of September 11th, 2025 when Tyler James Robinson surrendered to police at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. DNA consistent with Robinson was found on the rifle’s trigger. After shooting Mister Kirk, Robinson hid the gun, discarded the clothing he wore when he fired the rifle, and told his roommate to delete incriminating text messages and not talk to police. Children were present at the time of the shooting. The shooting. Turning Point USA, *** nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, organized *** public outdoor event to be held at noon on September 10, 2025 at UVU. The event was the first in *** series of similar events to be held at college campuses nationwide. Mister Kirk is *** well known conservative activist famous for these type of events where he discusses various political issues and debates with audience members. His events and comments have garnered *** significant number of supporters and drawn the ire of many who disagree with his political views. The event at UVU was announced far in advance and garnered significant publicity and interest. Consequently, several 100 people attended. Mr. Kirk was interacting with the crowd before the event officially got under way. Then at approximately noon Mister Kirk seated himself under *** portable canopy behind *** table and microphone. He began speaking to the crowd and fielding questions from attendees, *** format Mister Kirk commonly used at his events. Mister Kirk allowed his questionnaers to approach *** microphone positioned directly in front of him. Mr. Kirk’s team members were very close to him on his right and left as well as some behind his canopy and others at various close locations near him. The large crowd surrendered surrounded Mr. Kirk on three sides. Temporary metal fencing separated attendees from Mr. Kirk by only *** matter of feet. Directly above and behind Mr. Kirk was the UVU Hall of Flags, an indoor walkway spanning several 100 ft with floor to ceiling glass windows which overlooked the plaza where Mr. Kirk was seated. People were in the walkway at the time of the shooting. Approximately 15 minutes into the event, Mr. Kirk was answering *** question about mass shootings by transgender individuals when *** gunshot rang out. The bullet struck Mr. Kirk in the neck. He slumped to the ground almost immediately. The bullet’s tra trajectory passed closely to several other individuals beside Mister Kirk, including the questioner who was standing directly in front of Mister Kirk. Children were visible near Mister Kirk’s stage when he was shot. Mr. Kirk was rushed to *** nearby hospital where he was declared deceased. The medical examiner’s report is still pending. So UVU surveillance. So at the moment of the shot, *** UVU police officer was watching the crowd from an elevated vantage point. As soon as he heard the shot, he began to scan the area for threats. Believing the shot came from *** rifle because of its sound, he looked for potential sniper positions. He noted *** roof area approximately 160 yards away from Mr. Kirk as *** potential shooting position and rushed there to look for evidence. The suspected shooting position is adjacent to an open publicly accessible walkway. To access the suspected location, *** person must climb over *** railing and then drop to the roof only slightly below. The UV officer climbed over the railing and down onto the roof. He then walked to the suspected shooting position and confirmed *** clear shooting corridor between the position and Mister Kirk’s seat. He also noticed markings in the gravel rooftop consistent with *** sniper having lain on the on the roof, impressions in the gravel potentially left by the elbows. Knees and feet of *** person in *** prone shooting position. Police reviewed surveillance from the camera covering the roof and discovered that it recorded an individual dressed in dark clothing cross the railing from the public walkway and drop onto the roof at approximately 12:15 p.m. Although the individual moved out of the camera’s view for *** short time, the camera again captured the individual running across the roof and then low crawling to the area the UBU officer recognized as where the suspected sniper had dropped into *** pro prone shooting position. After *** short time, which matches the known time of the shot, the individual arose and ran across the roof to the northeast. This discovery led to an intensive review of UBU surveillance recordings to attempt to track and identify the suspect. Surveillance revealed the following at approximately 11:51 a.m. The suspect entered campus from the north. He is seen wearing *** black shirt with an American flag in the center, *** dark baseball cap, and large sunglasses. Throughout the surveillance, the suspect keeps his head down and rarely raises his head enough to get *** clear image of his face. As he proceeds across the campus, he is seen walking with an unusual gait. The suspect walks with very little bending in his right leg, consistent with *** rifle being hidden in his pants. This unusual gait continues until the suspect is seen crossing the railway off the open walkway and onto the roof where he leaves the camera’s view. *** camera later captures the suspect as he runs across the roof to the suspected shooting position. Immediately after the shot was fired, *** camera captures the suspect running across the roof carrying an item whose shape is consistent with *** rifle. The suspect is then seen climbing down from the roof. He appears to drop the item he was carrying as he hits the ground in *** controlled fall. He then picks up the item and runs toward the northeast end of campus. Expanded crime scene investigation. Law enforcement officers followed the suspect’s escape path to the northeast end of campus where they believed the suspect left campus and entered *** wooded area. In that wooded area, investigators found *** bolt action rifle wrapped in *** towel. The rifle contained one spent round. And 3 unspent rounds. This is consistent with the facts officers observed at the time of and immediately after the shootings. No shell casings were found on the roof, suggesting *** bolt action rather than an auto loading weapon, and only *** single round was fired. Each round in the rifle contained an etched inscription as follows. The fired cartridge. Was etched no ices bulge. Ow oh what’s this? The second cartridge. That was that was again not spent the last three were not spent, were not fired. The second hey fascist catch with arrows symbols. The 3rd cartridge, oh, Bella Chow, Bella Chow, Bella Chowchow chow. The fourth cartridge, if you read this, you are gay, LMAO. The rifle, ammunition rounds, and towel were sent for forensic processing. DNA consistent with with defendant was found on the trigger. Other parts of the rifle, the fired cartridge casing, two of the three unfired cartridges, and the towel. Law enforcement was unable to immediately locate the shooter, so they published photos of the shooter from the UVU surveillance cameras and asked for the public’s help to identify him. Meanwhile, law enforcement continued to try to identify the shooter through other means. The Washington County investigation. On the evening of September 11, 2025 as law enforcement continued their investigation, Tyler James Robinson went to the Washington County Sheriff’s office with his parents and *** family friend to turn himself in. Robinson’s mother stated that the following to police on September 11th, 2025, the day after the shooting, Robinson’s mother saw the photo of the shooter in the news and thought the shooter looked like her son. Robinson’s mother called her son. And asked him where he was. He said he was at home sick. And that he had also been at home, homesick on September 10th. Robinson’s mother expressed concern to her husband that the suspect shooter looked like Robinson. Robinson’s father agreed. Robinson’s mother explained that over the last year or so Robinson had become more political. And had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro gay and trans rights oriented, she stated that Robinson began to date his roommate, *** biological male who was transitioning genders. This resulted in several discussions with family members, but especially between Robinson and his father who have very different political views. In one conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned that Charlie Kirk would be holding an event at UVU, which Robert Robinson said was *** stupid venue for the event. Robinson accused Kirk of spreading hate. Robinson’s father reported that when his wife showed him the surveillance image of the suspected shooter in the news, he agreed that it looked like their son. He also believed that the rifle that police suspected the shooter used matched *** rifle that was given to his son as *** gift. As *** result, Robinson’s father contacted his son and asked him to send *** photo of the rifle. Robinson did not respond. However, Robinson’s father spoke on the phone with Robinson. Robinson implied that he planned to take his own life. Robinson’s parents were able to convince him to meet at their home. As they discussed the situation, Robinson implied that he was the shooter and stated that he couldn’t go to jail and just wanted to end it. When asked why he did it, Robinson explained there is too much evil, and the guy referring to Charlie Kirk spreads too much hate. They talked about Robinson turning himself in and convinced Robinson, Robinson to speak with *** family friend who is *** retired deputy sheriff. At Robinson at Robinson’s father’s request, the family friend met with Robinson and his parents and convinced Robinson to turn himself in. The family friend spoke to police and reported telling Robinson that it would be best if he brought all evidence with him to the sheriff’s office to avoid police having to search his parents’ home. The friend also asked Robinson if he had any clothes that were related to what he did. Robinson replied that he had disposed of the clothes in different areas. The roommate. Police interviewed Robinson’s roommate, *** biological male who was was involved in *** romantic relationship with Robinson. The roommate told police that the roommate received messages from Robinson about the shooting and and he did provide those messages to police. On September 10, 2025, the roommate received *** text message from Robinson which said, Drop what you’re doing, look under my keyboard. The roommate looked under the keyboard and found *** note that stated, quote, I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it. Police found *** photograph of this note. The following exchange text exchange then took place. After reading the note, the roommate responded, what? You’re joking, right, Robinson. I am still OK, my love, but am stuck in Oam for *** little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still, to be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you. Roommate, you weren’t the one who did it, right? Robinson, I am, I am, I’m sorry. Roommate, I thought they caught the person. Robinson. No, they grabbed some crazy old dude, then interrogated someone in similar clothing. I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down. It’s quiet almost enough to get out, but there’s one vehicle lingering roommate why Robinson, why did I do it? Roommate, yeah. Robinson, I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out. If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again. Hopefully they have moved on. I haven’t seen anything about them finding it, roommate, how long have you been planning this, Robinson? *** bit over *** week, I believe. I can get close to it, but there is *** squad car parked right by it. I think they already swept that spot, but I don’t want to chance it. Robinson again, I’m wishing I had circled back and grabbed it as soon as I got to my vehicle. I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back Grandpa’s rifle. ID if it’s had *** serial number, but it wouldn’t trace to me. I worry about Princes. I had to leave it in *** bush where I changed outfits, didn’t have the ability or time to bring it with. I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find Princes. How the F will I explain losing it to my old man? Only thing I left was the rapple was the rifle wrapped in *** towel. Remember how I was engraving bullets? The ffing messages are mostly *** big meme. If I see notice bulge UWU on Fox News, I might have *** stroke all right. I’m gonna have to leave it. That really effing sucks. Judging from today, I’d say Grandpa’s gun does just fine IDK. I think that was *** 2 2K dollar scope. Wink wink. Um Robinson, Robinson again, delete this exchange. Again, Robinson, my dad wants photos of the rifle. He says Grandpa wants to know who has what. The feds released *** photo of the rifle, and it is very unique. He’s calling me RN, not answering Robinson. Since Trump got into office, my dad has been pretty diehard maga. Robinson, I’m gonna turn myself in willingly. One of my neighbors here is *** deputy for the sheriff. Again, you are all I worry about love that came from Robinson, roommate. I’m much more worried about you, Robinson, don’t talk to the media, please don’t take any interviews or make any comments. If any police ask you questions, ask for *** lawyer and stay silent. The search for Robinson’s residence, police executed *** search warrant on Robinson’s residence. During that search, police discovered *** shell casing with etchings like the etchings found on the shells in the rifle near UVU. Police also found several target boards with bullet holes in Robinson’s home. Now, as I stated in the beginning when I read those allegations, these are allegations. And like the evidence set forth in this statement, those allegations, what you’ve heard from the media. Even from state and federal officials has not been tested in the crucible of *** jury trial. I understand the public’s desire to know the facts. My own family members have pressed me for information. Why are we reluctant to share the details of the investigation itself and comment on the case? Because I want to ensure *** fair and impartial trial. I became *** prosecutor because of my love for the ideals of this great country. And the principles embedded in our Constitution. The free exchange of ideas and opinions is critical to this great American experiment, but so too are the protections afforded to the accused found in the 5th and 6th Amendments, the right against self-incrimination. The right to *** speedy and public trial, the right to the effective assistance of counsel, the right to confront one’s accusers, and the right to compel the attendance of witnesses. And perhaps most importantly under our Constitution, the accused is presumed innocent until we, the state, prove to an impartial jury of defendant’s peers his guilt beyond *** reasonable doubt. That jury cannot rely on our allegations. On what they hear in the news or on what they hear from *** public official. The jury is the sole trier of fact. And they will ultimately determine those facts based on evidence *** trial judge has has determined is admissible. Again, as prosecutors, we bear the burden to prove guilt beyond *** reasonable doubt. But no, but make no mistake, we welcome this burden. I’d like to now introduce my team my team who will be charged with prosecuting the case. This is *** veteran and expert team of some of the state’s best trial attorneys. Chad Gruander, who is, uh, my one of my two chief deputies. Ryan McBride and David Sturgill, uh, on the far right there, um, and, and those two were very much involved in preparing search warrants, did *** phenomenal job, worked day and night to, to see that accomplished well after he was, uh, Robinson was, uh, taken into custody. Also Lauren Hunt, she is one of our special victims prosecutors. And Chris Ballard. My second chief deputy who will be handling motions. I’m gonna explain just the the procedural steps um we’re not ***. *** grand jury, we don’t have *** grand jury system like the federal courts do. It’s it’s *** preliminary hearing system. So the arrest and filing of the criminal information are merely the first steps in the criminal justice process. Today at 3 p.m. the defendant will appear before *** judge in the Utah Fourth District Court for his first appearance to be informed of these charges and to ensure that he has an attorney to represent him. The hearing will be brief. The judge will conduct that first appearance virtually via Webex. This is not unusual in the 4th district. All felony first appearances for defendants who are in custody are held virtually. *** link to that hearing is available for media on the Utah State court’s X account at Utah State courts. Now following defendant’s first appearance, he will be entitled to *** preliminary hearing. At that hearing, the state will be required to show probable cause that defendant committed the crimes. The purpose of the preliminary hearing is not to determine guilt. But simply to assure the court that the prosecution has enough evidence to proceed to trial. If *** judge finds probable cause and binds the case over for trial, an arraignment hearing will be held. At that hearing, *** judge will again inform defendant of the charges against him and require him to enter *** plea to each charge. The next step, the next step following the arraignment is an opportunity for the parties to file any relevant motions and then ultimately the trial itself. This case has generated *** tremendous amount of interest across our nation and even the world. The public’s desire for information is is understandable, but it bears reiterating that this case will be tried in *** court of law consistent with our Constitution, not the court of public opinion. Thus we will only discuss with the press, uh, discuss the case with the press occasionally. Uh, it’s, it will not be *** day to day or even week to week uh occurrence, and but we will only do so in *** manner as not to jeopardize the fair trial process. Before I conclude, I want to express my appreciation for the tireless work of our local, state, and federal law enforcement officers. They have an extremely difficult, dangerous, and often, often thankless job. I’m proud to acknowledge the exceptional work they do every day, and particularly their work on this case. It was truly *** marvel to witness. Their skilled work and dedication have brought us to this point. I’m also grateful for the leadership demonstrated by Bo Mason, the commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, FBI Special Agent in charger Rob Bowles. Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith. Our local police chiefs and Felice John Vitti, the acting US attorney for the District of Utah, I’m also grateful for the support of our governor Spencer Cox and our attorney General Derek Brown, who is standing behind me today and has offered his support and resources as we proceed to trial. Finally, I want to thank our Utah County commissioners Amelia Powers Gardiner, Brandon Gordon, and Skyler Beltran. They too have pledged to assist with the resources needed to successfully prosecute this case. I will now take *** few questions for ladies and gentlemen, just just really fast if you could identify yourself and what that may have known about this shooting. They are still looking into it’s an undergoing investigation. So is that *** possibility? They haven’t ruled that out, Sir Ed Lavandera with CNN. The text message is the exchange with the roommate, can you, uh, kind of give us *** sense of did that happen over several hours? Did that happen before, um I, I don’t have that information. I know acknowledging that you made this decision to independently, did you hear it on the Trump administration or Governor Cox’s as you were working on this? Um, I talked to officials from both administrations, but I was not pressured to make *** decision. I, I understood their feelings on it because it was in the news, but we didn’t really discuss that. Do you have any indication that transgender issues play *** role in the motivations. I, I’m gonna stick to what I just stated in my public, uh, in my, in our information. I, I think that is pretty much set forth there. Fox News just asking, are you planning to file charges against anyone else in connection. Again, we don’t have any information at this point of additional uh suspects, but I know that uh. Our our law enforcement agencies are continuing to follow leads that you are or that other people, *** number of people are being investigated and interrogated, so it seems that there are people who like me. Yeah, I’m not, I’m not I, I can’t comment on that. I’m not aware of all their investigation. I just know that, uh, these agencies are continuing to investigate this case and follow all leads. how does this possibly interface with any. Um, that’s up to the feds. They have different charges and they’re reviewing the evidence and after they review the evidence and the law they could file charges, but I’m not privy to exactly what they’re looking at the BBC *** lot about text messages with the roommate. The governor previously said the roommate is cooperating, but could we see charges against the room again, I’m not prepared to answer that question. It’s going to, is it unusual to cite *** political motivation? It’s, it’s part of our code and so we charge that. Ultimately *** judge will determine that. At trial and cooperation has he spoken at all has been cooperate? Again, I’m not going to comment on that. I am not aware of that information that’s again still under investigation. I I am not going to comment on that. I’m not going to comment on that. Your team has been circumspect, very measured in what they out that hampered. Well, as attorneys we typically like to control that information to preserve an impartial, uh, jury and, and *** fair trial. Excuse me, uh, I don’t have that information. Can you tell us more about what the family may have said in interviews? Um, what the family said is, is what I, uh, provided. Do you guys, uh, do you anticipate that the defense will try to get this trial moved out of Utah County and how will you? That from where that the defense will be from Utah County. Uh, I, I, I couldn’t predict what they’re gonna do. You say this suggest that the timing of the shot and the question that was asked about mass shootings transgender, is that more than coincidence? Um, that will be for *** jury to decide. Again, I’m not gonna comment on the evidence. Again, I’m not gonna comment on other than the facts that I or or the evidence that we’ve gathered so far in the conference. Jeopardize his right to *** fair trial. Uh, I don’t believe so. This is part of *** public document that we have to file, um, as we file *** criminal information. We have to file *** probable cause statement. That’s *** public document and so we’re comfortable with that. I’m not going to comment on that either. I, I can’t share any more than what I’ve already said. Do you have any evidence that he went to practice or to the shooting that’s insight, the evidence that I’m willing to share is what I just read in our statement, and it’s in the in the information we’re gonna have to cut it off there. OK, you just, did you consult Erica Kirk about seeking the death penalty? Um, I’m not going to comment on that. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
Lawyers for the 22-year-old Utah man charged with killing Charlie Kirk are due in court Thursday as they push to further limit media access in the high-profile criminal case.A Utah judge is weighing the public’s right to know details in Tyler Robinson’s case against his attorneys’ concerns that the swarm of media attention could interfere with his right to a fair trial.Robinson’s legal team and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office have asked Judge Tony Graf to ban cameras in the courtroom.Prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of the conservative activist on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, just a few miles north of the Provo courthouse. They plan to seek the death penalty.Robinson was expected to appear in person Thursday after making previous court appearances via video or audio feed from jail, according to a transport order.A coalition of national and local news organizations, including The Associated Press, is fighting to preserve media access in the case.Graf has already made allowances to protect Robinson’s presumption of innocence before a trial, agreeing that the case has drawn “extraordinary” public attention.Graf held a closed hearing on Oct. 24 in which attorneys discussed Robinson’s courtroom attire and security protocols. Under a subsequent ruling by the judge, Robinson is allowed to wear street clothes in court during his pretrial hearings but must be physically restrained due to security concerns. Graf also prohibited media from filming or photographing Robinson’s restraints after his attorneys argued widespread images of him shackled and in jail clothing could prejudice future jurors.Michael Judd, an attorney for the media coalition, has urged Graf to let the news organizations weigh in on any future requests for closed hearings or other limitations.The media presence at Utah hearings is already limited, with judges often designating one photographer and one videographer to document a hearing and share their images with other news organizations. Additional journalists can typically attend to listen and take notes, as can members of the public.Judd wrote in recent filings that an open court “safeguards the integrity of the fact-finding process” while fostering public confidence in judicial proceedings. Criminal cases in the U.S. have long been open to the public, which he argued is proof that trials can be conducted fairly without restricting reporters as they work to keep the public informed.Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has called for full transparency, saying, “We deserve to have cameras in there.” Her husband was an ally of President Donald Trump who worked to steer young voters toward conservatism.Robinson’s legal team says his pretrial publicity reaches as far as the White House, with Trump announcing soon after Robinson’s arrest, “With a high degree of certainty, we have him,” and “I hope he gets the death penalty.”Attorney Kathy Nester has raised concern that digitally altered versions of Robinson’s initial court photo have spread widely, creating misinformation about the case. Some altered images show Robinson crying or having an outburst in court, which did not happen.
SALT LAKE CITY —
Lawyers for the 22-year-old Utah man charged with killing Charlie Kirk are due in court Thursday as they push to further limit media access in the high-profile criminal case.
A Utah judge is weighing the public’s right to know details in Tyler Robinson’s case against his attorneys’ concerns that the swarm of media attention could interfere with his right to a fair trial.
Robinson’s legal team and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office have asked Judge Tony Graf to ban cameras in the courtroom.
Prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of the conservative activist on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, just a few miles north of the Provo courthouse. They plan to seek the death penalty.
Robinson was expected to appear in person Thursday after making previous court appearances via video or audio feed from jail, according to a transport order.
A coalition of national and local news organizations, including The Associated Press, is fighting to preserve media access in the case.
Graf has already made allowances to protect Robinson’s presumption of innocence before a trial, agreeing that the case has drawn “extraordinary” public attention.
Graf held a closed hearing on Oct. 24 in which attorneys discussed Robinson’s courtroom attire and security protocols. Under a subsequent ruling by the judge, Robinson is allowed to wear street clothes in court during his pretrial hearings but must be physically restrained due to security concerns. Graf also prohibited media from filming or photographing Robinson’s restraints after his attorneys argued widespread images of him shackled and in jail clothing could prejudice future jurors.
Michael Judd, an attorney for the media coalition, has urged Graf to let the news organizations weigh in on any future requests for closed hearings or other limitations.
The media presence at Utah hearings is already limited, with judges often designating one photographer and one videographer to document a hearing and share their images with other news organizations. Additional journalists can typically attend to listen and take notes, as can members of the public.
Judd wrote in recent filings that an open court “safeguards the integrity of the fact-finding process” while fostering public confidence in judicial proceedings. Criminal cases in the U.S. have long been open to the public, which he argued is proof that trials can be conducted fairly without restricting reporters as they work to keep the public informed.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has called for full transparency, saying, “We deserve to have cameras in there.” Her husband was an ally of President Donald Trump who worked to steer young voters toward conservatism.
Robinson’s legal team says his pretrial publicity reaches as far as the White House, with Trump announcing soon after Robinson’s arrest, “With a high degree of certainty, we have him,” and “I hope he gets the death penalty.”
Attorney Kathy Nester has raised concern that digitally altered versions of Robinson’s initial court photo have spread widely, creating misinformation about the case. Some altered images show Robinson crying or having an outburst in court, which did not happen.
