Tyler Robinson hearing takes bizarre turn as judge bans media camera from filming alleged Charlie Kirk killer over lip reader concerns
Tyler Robinson’s court hearing took a bizarre turn when a Utah judge barred cameras from filming the alleged Charlie Kirk assassin. AP
Tyler Robinson’s court hearing took an unusual turn Friday when a Utah judge prohibited a media videographer from filming the 22-year-old suspect in the murder of Charlie Kirk, citing concerns that close-up footage could allow lip-reading and influence the proceedings.
Utah District Judge Tony Graf ruled that the pool cameraman could not film Robinson during the remainder of the hearing. “During the remainder of this hearing, the camera shall not photograph Mr. Robinson at all,” Graf said. “That will be the sanction of this court. I will allow the pool camera operator to reposition the camera to adhere to that.”
The decision followed objections from Robinson’s defense attorneys, who argued that prior footage had zoomed in on their client and captured private conversations. The attorneys showed the judge clips they said violated court rules, according to ABC 4.
The courtroom drama unfolded as Robinson’s legal team sought to remove Utah County prosecutors from the high-profile case over a potential conflict of interest.
“The Utah County Attorneys have advised us that a family member of one of the attorneys was present at the incident at which Mr. Kirk was shot and killed,” defense attorney Richard Novak told Judge Graf during the hearing. He explained that prosecutors informed the defense that the relative — a student — was “within 85 feet” of Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder, when he was shot at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 while speaking to a crowd of thousands as part of his American Comeback Tour.
Novak added that the relative had to “flee” the campus and that law enforcement had been deployed to ensure her safety, information known to the Utah County Attorney’s Office. There are six prosecutors handling Robinson’s case, and the name of the attorney connected to the incident was redacted in court papers. Judge Graf has not yet ruled on the defense’s request.
Robinson faces seven felony charges, including aggravated murder, discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child. He remains in custody pending trial and could face execution by firing squad if convicted. Utah is one of five states that still allow this method of capital punishment.
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