Charlie Kirk murder suspect makes first in-person court appearance
The man accused of killing far-right activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University has appeared in court for the first time in person, as a judge deliberates over the extent of media access to the high-profile case.
Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, 22, and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office asked the judge to ban cameras in the courtroom, fearing the media attention would harm a fair trial.
Kirk’s widow and a coalition of national and local news organizations have pushed for transparency in the matter.
Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, along with other charges, and prosecutors said they were seeking the death penalty. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.
Robinson turned himself in to authorities after a lengthy manhunt following Kirk’s shooting at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in September.
He confessed the crime to his father who recognized him from images released by authorities and eventually persuaded him to surrender.
On Thursday, Robinson arrived in court with restraints on his wrists and ankles.
He wore a dress shirt, tie and slacks and smiled at family members seated in the front row of the courtroom, according to CBS, the BBC’s US partner. His mother, father and brother were with him in court.
A coalition of national and local news organizations wants to preserve media access to the case, advocating for transparency and public accessibility. They are pushing for the release of a recording and transcript of an October hearing in the case.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who is fighting conspiracy theories about her husband’s death, also called for transparency in the matter. On Fox News last month, she said “we deserve to have cameras in there.”
Part of Thursday’s hearing will review an Oct. 14 audio recording and a transcript of the Oct. 24 hearings that were closed to the public. Another portion of the hearing was streamed online for public viewing.
“I need to hear what should or should not be sealed or protected and it would not be beneficial for everyone to hear what should be sealed,” Judge Tony Graf said.
He plans to issue a decision later Thursday.
In October, the judge allowed Robinson to wear civilian clothes during pretrial hearings to avoid prejudice to potential jurors, but he required Robinson to wear restraints during the hearings.
Photos or videos of him under duress have been banned.
