Charlie Kirk killing: Judge to decide if a key hearing for Tyler Robinson will be public

Provo, Utah– A Utah judge is scheduled to decide Monday whether to bar reporters and the public from attending parts of the upcoming key hearing in the case of the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk.

Tyler Robinson’s defense asked Judge Tony Graf to restrict access to the July 6-10 preliminary hearing, where prosecutors must show they have enough evidence to justify a trial. This will be the most significant presentation of evidence to date in a case that has so far focused on issues of media access.

Defense attorneys have also requested the sealing of dozens of documents that prosecutors plan to present at a hearing in July, arguing that they could taint the jury pool ahead of a potential trial.

Robinson’s lawyers have tried to guard against media coverage, which they say sometimes misrepresents their client, because his case has attracted enormous public attention. The 23-year-old from southwestern Utah is charged with crimes including first-degree murder in the Sept. 10 slaying of Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University.

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. He has not yet filed a petition.

Prosecutors said the preliminary hearing should remain open, but agreed the media should be prohibited from viewing or copying certain documents that could be used in a future trial. They plan to present forensic analyses, surveillance video, recordings of witness statements, autopsy results and letters purportedly from Robinson confessing to the crime.

Authorities said DNA consistent with Robinson’s was found on the trigger of the gun used to kill Kirk, on the fired cartridge casing, two unfired cartridges, and a towel used to wrap the gun. Prosecutors also said Robinson left a message to his romantic partner that read: “I have been given the opportunity to kill Charlie Kirk and I will take it.”