The person accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk can be allowed to put on civilian clothes throughout pretrial hearings, a Utah choose dominated on Monday.
On the identical time, the choose denied a request from the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, to look through the proceedings with none restraints.
Robinson’s attorneys sought to increase the fitting for him to look in civilian clothes that’s afforded throughout trial to all of his pretrial proceedings, arguing that, given the intensive media protection of the case, there’s a threat of prejudice if potential jurors see him in jail apparel. Prosecutors had opposed the request, arguing jail clothes aids with identification and security.
In granting the request throughout a digital listening to on Monday, Choose Tony Graf stated, “Robinson’s proper to the presumption of innocence outweighs the minimal inconvenience of allowing civilian apparel, and Mr. Robinson shall be dressed as one who’s presumed harmless.”
Robinson equally sought to look with out restraints attributable to considerations they may prejudice potential jurors.
Alleged Charlie Kirk shooter Tyler Robinson makes his first court docket look in Utah.
State of Utah/District Court docket
In denying the request, the choose stated that whereas Robinson beforehand had no felony historical past or any points whereas in custody, the fees he faces are “terribly critical, carrying potential penalties of life imprisonment or dying.”
“The protection of Mr. Robinson, the attorneys, court docket employees and the general public should stay the court docket’s highest precedence,” Graf stated. “The emotional nature of those proceedings additionally elevate the danger of disruption.”
Graf directed the sheriff’s division to “use the least restrictive restraints obligatory to take care of security.”
“If these restraint strains impede the defendant’s means to speak with counsel or take notes, counsel could renew the movement,” Graf stated.
The choose additional stated the media can be prohibited from recording or photographing Robinson’s restraints in addition to whereas he enters, exits or stands in court docket.
Graf issued his rulings after listening to arguments from prosecutors and the protection throughout a closed-door listening to final week.
Robinson appeared remotely from jail, together with his digital camera turned off, throughout Monday’s listening to. He’s subsequent scheduled to look in court docket in particular person on Jan. 16, 2026.
Individuals pay their respects at a memorial for right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley College in Orem, Utah, September 19, 2025.
Melissa Majchrzak/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
The taking pictures suspect turned himself in to authorities a day after Kirk was gunned down whereas holding an out of doors occasion at Utah Valley College in Orem on Sept. 10.
Robinson has been charged with aggravated homicide, felony discharge of a firearm inflicting critical bodily harm, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and fee of a violent offense within the presence of a kid. He has not but entered a plea.
Prosecutors stated they intend to hunt the dying penalty.
