Charlie Kirk assassination: Utah judge considers media ban ahead of Tyler Robinson preliminary hearing

A Utah judge is scheduled to decide Monday (local time) whether to bar reporters and the public from parts of a key upcoming hearing in the Tyler Robinson case, in which he is accused of killing Charlie Kirk.

Robinson’s defense has asked Judge Tony Graf to limit access to a preliminary hearing scheduled between July 6 and 10, when prosecutors must show they have enough evidence to justify a trial against him. It will be the most important piece of evidence yet produced in the case, which has largely been about access to the media, the AP reported.

Read also | Tyler Robinson sent a chilling message to a friend the day Charlie Kirk was killed

Robinson’s team is pushing for limited access to the media

In addition, Robinson’s defense attorneys also urged the court to seal dozens of exhibits that prosecutors plan to present at a July hearing, arguing they could hinder the selection of a jury before a possible trial.

The accused’s legal team sought to limit media coverage, arguing that the coverage had at times portrayed him unfairly because of the significant public interest in the case. The 23-year-old from southwestern Utah is charged with multiple charges, including aggravated murder, in the Sept. 10 killing of Kirk at Utah Valley University.

His defense attorneys have previously argued that media coverage has greatly damaged Robinson and have demanded that cameras be barred from the courtroom.

Read also | Twist in the Charlie Kirk murder: A bullet fragment fails to link Robinson to the rifle

If convicted, prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. He has not filed a lawsuit yet.

While prosecutors argued that the preliminary hearing should remain open, they also agreed that the media should be barred from viewing or copying certain exhibits that could be used in a future trial. They plan to introduce forensic analysis, surveillance video, tapes of witness statements, autopsy findings and alleged reports from Robinson, who confesses to the crime.

Authorities said DNA matching Robinson’s was found on the trigger of the rifle used to kill Kirk, a fired cartridge case, two unfired rounds and a towel used to wrap the rifle. Prosecutors also said Robinson left a note for his romantic partner that read: “I had an opportunity to take Charlie Kirk out and I’m going to take it.”

Judge refuses to limit courtroom cameras

Monday’s ruling comes nearly a month after Graf ruled that cameras would continue to be allowed in Robinson’s high-profile trial. Graf also granted a request to delay his preliminary hearing, which was originally scheduled to begin in May, after his lawyers said they needed more time to review DNA analysis of some evidence, CNN reported.

Read also | Erika Kirk Tells Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Killer ‘I Have Nothing To Tell You’

The assassination of Charlie Kirk

Kirk, a prominent conservative activist, was fatally shot last September in front of a large crowd during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. Authorities conducted a roughly 30-hour manhunt, after which Robinson turned himself in. The 31-year-old activist was an ally of President Donald Trump. After Trump remade the Republican Party, Kirk embodied the party’s newfound populist conservatism in the age of social media. The US president credited Kirk with galvanizing and mobilizing the youth voice for him.

Kirk was recognized for engaging college students in debates about topics such as abortion, which he opposed, and climate change, which he often disputed. He also rejected transgender rights and promoted traditional gender roles among young people. In addition, he supported Trump’s policy of large-scale deportations.

However, it remains to be seen if the judge will limit media access this time in this closely watched case.