- Judge Tony Graf ordered the mostly unredacted release of an Oct. 24 closed hearing transcript while denying media requests for third-party access to the case.
- Tyler Robinson, 22, charged with aggravated murder and six other offenses in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, appeared remotely as the court reaffirmed limits on media participation.
- Robinson is expected to appear in person beginning Jan. 16 in Utah’s 4th District Court, and prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
The man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk appeared remotely in court Monday, as District Court Judge Tony Graf issued a delayed ruling on media access in the case.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was formally charged on Sept. 16 with aggravated murder, five other felonies and a Class A misdemeanor, less than a week after Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Monday, Graf ordered that the two-hour closed hearing conducted on Oct. 24 will be filed for public review by the end of the day.
Eighty pages of the 83-page transcript will be released verbatim — except specific information that includes specific security measures taken for Robinson as he travels to and from Utah County Jail to Utah’s 4th District Court.
The defense had also requested that information regarding a “non-party witness” be redacted, which Graf denied, saying it offers the same information found in the charging documents.
Graf denies the press third-party access to the case
Attorneys on behalf of the Deseret News and another media outlet sought limited party status, which Graf denied. He maintained that only the state and the defense will be recognized parties, and a court rule already protects the media’s right to pursue public court records.
“For this reason, the court denies both requests to intervene,” Graf said.
The judge added that if members of the media want to object to a court-filed closure motion and request a closure hearing, they must file within seven days of receiving notice.
Present in the web hearing were Jeff Hunt and David Reyman on the behalf of the Deseret News and KSL, and Michael Judd on the behalf of the Salt Lake Tribune.
Graf previously issued several media restrictions, prohibiting any filming or photography of Robinson’s shackles. He also granted the defense’s request to allow Robinson to wear civilian clothing in the courtroom, to “be dressed as one presumed innocent,” Graf said.
On Dec. 11, Robinson made his first in-person appearance for a hearing open to the public, wearing a blue collared shirt and tie. His parents and a brother were also in attendance.
When will Tyler Robinson next appear in court?
Robinson is expected to appear in person for all future hearings, beginning on Jan. 16. All hearings are slated to take place in Utah’s 4th District Court in Provo.
- Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. MST. Robinson is expected to attend in person.
- Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. MST. Robinson is expected to attend in person.
- Potential preliminary hearing scheduled for May 18 to 21.
Should Robinson be convicted following his trial, state prosecutors said they will pursue the death penalty. Robinson faces the following seven charges:
- Count 1: Aggravated murder, a capital felony, that the defendant intentionally or knowingly caused the death of Charlie Kirk.
- Count 2: Discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony. The defendant targeted Charlie Kirk because of political motives, knowing children would be present.
- Count 3: Obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, for moving firearm used in a crime.
- Count 4: Obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, for disposing clothing he wore during the shooting.
- Count 5: Witness tampering, a third-degree felony, directing his roommate to delete his texts.
- Count 6: Witness tampering, a third-degree felony, for directing his roommate to stay silent.
- Count 7: Violent offense in the presence of a child, a class A misdemeanor.
Kirk was shot and killed during a “Prove Me Wrong” outdoor debate at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. According to charging documents, Robinson allegedly shot Kirk from the roof of the Losee Center, a campus building next to the school’s grassy amphitheater where Kirk was interacting with 3,000 students and visitors.
Robinson was apprehended on Sept. 12 after his parents, along with a retired detective close to the family, convinced him to surrender to authorities.