Tyler Robinson (22) is accused of shooting and killing the 31-year-old conservative right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
On Thursday, he appeared in person in Utah District Court for the first time.
Previously, he has only participated via audio or video link from the prison. The court will now decide whether the trial will take place behind closed doors or behind closed doors.
Robinson’s defenders have questioned the enormous media interest surrounding the case. They believe it could weaken Robinson’s legal certainty.
At the same time, the American media are fighting for the press to retain full access to the trial.
This is how he has acted before, in a safety vest from the prison in Utah via video link.
Foto: Utah State Courts / Reuters / NTB
The parents in the first row
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Robinson arrived in court with shackles on his arms and ankles, wearing a blue shirt and tie.
He smiled at his parents, who sat in the first row on the audience bench. Robinson’s mother wiped away tears with a handkerchief. Her father and brother sat next to her, according to AP News.
It is expected that the prosecution will ask for the death penalty for the 22-year-old.
Judge Tony Graf will decide the issue of press access in the trial against Tyler Robinson.
Photo: POOL / AFP / NTB
In a closed court session in October, it was decided that the press may not depict Robinson in chains, based on a fear that the images could contribute to pre-judgment of the accused in the public eye.
Now, Robinson’s defense attorneys and Utah police are asking for a ban on cameras in the courtroom.
They point out, among other things, that the case arouses strong emotions all the way into the White House. President Donald Trump has previously stated that he “hopes he gets the death penalty”.
Other photos of Robinson in court have been manipulated and shared widely, and have helped to spread disinformation, the defenders claim.
Requires press access
Michael Judd, who represents the media, has argued that an open trial protects the integrity of the factual basis of the case.
It gives the press and the public the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the evidence in the case, which will strengthen confidence in the legal process.
Erika Kirk lost her husband in the Utah Valley University shooting.
Photo: Brian Snyder / Reuters / NTB
Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, is one of those who have asked for full transparency in the case.
She says that “we deserve to have cameras there”.
Her husband Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a rally at Utah Valley University in September. This was part of Kirk’s tour with the conservative youth movement “Turning Point USA”.
You must know this
Who was Charlie Kirk? Charles James Kirk (31) was a conservative and right-wing activist from the United States.
He was behind the podcast “The Charlie Kirk Show” and was considered a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump.
In 2012, Kirk founded the organization Turning Point USA, which has since grown to become one of the most visible conservative youth movements in the country.
Kirk was married to Erika, and has two children aged 3 and 1.
What is Turning Point? Turning Point USA is one of the most visible conservative youth movements in the country.
On its own website, the organization states that it has over 800 local teams at universities across the USA. The local team at the University of Orem has 150 active members, according to Turning Point.
The organization is also behind the “Professor Watchlist” website, which aims to expose what the organization believes are radical academics.
Turning Point was among those who put forward the claim that it was cheating that gave Joe Biden the victory over Trump in the United States in 2020.
What event did he attend? Kirk was on tour with “The American Comeback Tour”, with which he was scheduled to travel around the United States.
Ahead of the event at Utah Valley University (UVU), a petition was created against his visit. More than 900 people signed, criticizing the university for giving Kirk’s “divisive and marginalizing rhetoric” a platform.
During the event, Kirk encouraged discussion and opened up debate with people who disagreed with him.
Why was he so controversial? Kirk was known for traveling and debating dissenters, often at universities around the United States. In a video that has spread after his death, he emphasizes the importance of dialogue – even with those you disagree with.
At the same time, he was also known for very conservative and controversial opinions and statements.
Among other things, he expressed strongly negative views about homosexuals and other minorities, believed that religious freedom should be restricted, that women should submit to their husbands and spread disinformation about the coronavirus.
Kirk was also a strong advocate of the right to bear arms, which in the United States is a separate clause in the constitution. He believed this right was so important that it was “worth” a few firearm-related deaths each year.
Several students who witnessed the murder of Charlie Kirk were present at the court hearing on Thursday.
William Brown was only meters from Kirk when he was shot. He says it was overwhelming to see Robinson in court.
– I witnessed a big event and my brain is still working on processing it, says Brown to the AP news agency.
– Being here makes it feel more realistic than surreal.
Published
12.12.2025, kl. 00.30
Updated
12.12.2025, kl. 01.04