A Utah judge will determine Monday whether media and the public can attend all portions of an important preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, who faces charges in the death of Charlie Kirk.
Robinson’s legal team has petitioned Judge Tony Graf to limit access during the July 6-10 preliminary hearing, where prosecutors must demonstrate sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. This hearing represents the most substantial evidence presentation thus far in a case that has primarily centered on questions of media accessibility.
The defense has also requested that dozens of evidence exhibits planned for introduction during the July proceedings be kept sealed, contending that public disclosure might prejudice potential jurors ahead of any trial.
Robinson’s attorneys have worked to prevent what they characterize as misleading media portrayals of their client amid intense public interest in the case. The 23-year-old defendant from southwestern Utah faces charges including aggravated murder for the Sept. 10 shooting death of Kirk at Utah Valley University campus.
If convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty, which prosecutors plan to pursue. No plea has been entered yet.
While prosecutors maintain the preliminary hearing should stay open to the public, they have agreed that certain exhibits requiring protection for future trial use should have restricted media access. Evidence planned for presentation includes forensic analysis results, surveillance footage, recorded witness interviews, autopsy reports and purported messages from Robinson confessing to the crime.
Investigators report finding DNA matching Robinson’s profile on the rifle trigger used in Kirk’s killing, the spent shell casing, two unused cartridges and a towel that wrapped the weapon. Prosecutors also indicate Robinson wrote a message to his romantic partner stating, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
