A Utah judge on Monday ordered the release of a transcript and audio recording from a closed October hearing that addressed whether the man charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk should be restrained during court proceedings.
State District Judge Tony Graf said the transcript must be posted to the court docket by the end of the day. Media organizations, including the Associated Press, had requested access to the hearing record, arguing the proceedings should be public.
Prosecutors have charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Authorities plan to seek the death penalty.
Defense attorneys asked in early October that Robinson be allowed to appear in civilian clothing and without restraints to avoid potential bias among jurors. Following an Oct. 24 closed-door hearing, Graf ruled that Robinson could wear civilian clothes but would remain restrained, citing Utah court rules that require restraints for in-custody defendants unless otherwise ordered.
In an Oct. 27 order, Graf said the restraints were necessary to protect court staff and Robinson by allowing him to be secured quickly if proceedings were disrupted.
On Monday, Graf emphasized that transparency is “foundational” to the judicial system and ordered the release of the hearing materials, with limited redactions to remove references to security procedures. He also ordered the release of an audio recording with similar redactions.
Graf has separately ruled that media outlets may not display Robinson’s restraints in photographs or broadcasts. Earlier this month, he temporarily halted a media livestream and ordered the camera repositioned after defense attorneys said the shackles were visible.