Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, has asked a Utah judge to allow him to appear in court wearing civilian clothes instead of a prison jumpsuit and shackles — arguing that media images of him in restraints could prejudice potential jurors.
In a 21-page motion filed Thursday in Utah’s 4th District Court, Robinson’s attorneys claimed that showing him in jail attire could lead jurors to assume he’s guilty and “deserving” of the death penalty, making it impossible to secure a fair trial.
“In the face of worldwide scrutiny, permitting Mr. Robinson to wear civilian clothing for court appearances is a minor inconvenience compared to the already present concerns with securing a fair trial before an impartial jury,” the filing stated. The defense noted that extensive media coverage and thousands of online comments have already fueled public opinion about Robinson’s guilt.
Robinson is accused of fatally shooting the conservative activist during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10. During a virtual hearing last month, he appeared wearing a “suicide smock,” a precautionary garment used in custody for inmates under mental health monitoring.
The motion compared Robinson’s situation to that of convicted Idaho murderer Bryan Kohberger, who was allowed to wear a suit and appear unshackled during pretrial proceedings in his own highly publicized death penalty case. Kohberger was sentenced in July to life in prison without parole for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students.
Robinson faces charges of aggravated murder and several related offenses. If convicted, he could face the death penalty under Utah law — a punishment publicly supported by President Trump, a close ally of Kirk. Utah remains one of five states that still authorize the firing squad as a method of execution.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea. He is scheduled to return to court on October 30.