PROVO, Utah (AP) — Attorneys representing Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, pleaded with a Utah judge on Tuesday to seal specific evidence and limit access to parts of an upcoming preliminary hearing scheduled for July 6-10. This request followed the judge's previous decision to allow cameras in the courtroom. The defense contended that media coverage creates a biased narrative that could unfairly influence potential jurors and distort the public perception of their client.
The preliminary hearing is pivotal, as it will present the most comprehensive evidence thus far in a case that has garnered significant media attention during its first eight months. State District Judge Tony Graf indicated that he would issue a ruling on the defense's requests by June 1.
On Tuesday, Robinson's defense team also sought to reprimand the prosecution for comments made by Deputy Utah County Attorney Christopher Ballard outside the courtroom. The defense attorney, Richard Novak, accused Ballard of engaging in a "media tour" that expressed opinions on Robinson's guilt. In contrast, prosecutors argued that Ballard’s comments aimed to clarify misinterpretations about preliminary findings from ballistics experts, denying that he had expressed any opinion on Robinson's culpability.
Judge Graf did not immediately decide whether to hold an evidentiary hearing regarding the defense's concerns. Prosecutors have announced plans to pursue the death penalty if Robinson, 23, is convicted. He faces numerous charges, including aggravated murder, for the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10 during an event on the Utah Valley University campus. As of now, Robinson has yet to enter a plea.
Charles Kirk, a prominent figure in U.S. politics as the founder of Turning Point USA, was known for his conservative activism and played a role in supporting President Donald Trump's re-election campaign. In the wake of Kirk's death, considerable public focus has been directed at protecting Robinson’s rights in court. Despite a growing media presence, Judge Graf previously rejected a motion to bar cameras from the trial proceedings.
During the upcoming hearing, prosecutors plan to present various forms of evidence, including forensic analyses, surveillance footage, witness statements, autopsy results, and purported messages from Robinson implicating himself in the crime. The defense has filed a motion to seal many of these exhibits in an effort to "prevent infecting the potential jury pool." While prosecutors have agreed to some restrictions on media access to specific evidence, they argue that the preliminary hearing should be conducted openly.
In response to the defense's concerns, Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander emphasized that closing parts of the hearing to comply with the defense's requests would undermine public rights to witness the justice process. He noted that some evidence presented will consist of "reliable hearsay," which is commonly accepted in preliminary hearings but not admissible in a trial due to stricter standards.
Defense attorney Staci Visser expressed concerns that widely disseminated statements could harm Robinson’s case by prejudicing public opinion, even though such statements may ultimately be inadmissible in court. Grunander countered that reliable hearsay is an established part of preliminary hearings and that restricting access to such information would infringe upon constitutional rights.
Robinson's alleged actions have been documented through various communications, including a note left for a romantic partner stating, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it," and text messages expressing frustration with Kirk's viewpoints. Additionally, forensic evidence reportedly links Robinson to the murder weapon, including DNA found on the rifle's trigger and related materials.
