Charlie Kirk’s accused killer Tyler Robinson smirks through first in-person court appearance

PROVO, UTAH: Tyler Robinson, 22, accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, made his first in-person court appearance in Utah.

He appeared calm, even smiling, as he conferred with his lawyers. Robinson faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder, after allegedly shooting Kirk during a Turning Point USA event on September 10.

Tyler Robinson’s first in-person appearance in a Utah courtroom

Tyler Robinson, seen chuckling with his lawyers in a Utah courtroom, entered wearing a simple blue button-down shirt and an argyle tie. This hearing marked his first physical appearance in court; all previous hearings had been held virtually.

Robinson appeared unfazed by the serious charges he faces, including allegations that he brutally shot Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University in front of thousands of witnesses.

During the hearing, Robinson’s lawyers argued that media coverage should be restricted, claiming it could taint the jury and disrupt the trial.

His attorney, Staci Visser, told the court, “We don’t want the chaos that is out in the media in this courtroom.”

What happened during Tyler Robinson’s first in-person hearing?

Tyler Robinson’s defense team pressed hard against media access, complaining during the hearing that the day’s live feed had exposed their conversations, computer screens, and documents to the public. 

They also objected that the feed showed Robinson’s shackles, which violated a prior agreement to keep them out of view. “We believe this threatened my client’s right to a fair trial,” the attorney said.

Visser said, “That’s entirely inappropriate.” Visser asked the judge to turn off the cameras for the rest of the hearing, but Judge Graf instead ordered the cameras moved away from the defense table.

Judge Tony Graf insisted that Robinson remain shackled, citing the safety of everyone in the courtroom, and directed the media not to film the restraints. The Utah County Sheriff’s Office has backed Robinson’s request to limit camera coverage in court.

After holding private discussions for more than two hours, Graf postponed his decision on both issues and scheduled a new hearing for December 29.

Graf was also set to decide whether parts of an October phone hearing transcript, which allowed Robinson to wear street clothes in court, could be released to the public. 

“I would rather do it right and take more time, than to be rash and miss the mark,” Graf said, calling the release of the October hearing minutes an "important issue."

Erika Kirk insists 'we deserve to have cameras in there'

Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, has been outspoken about letting the public see her husband’s accused killer in court.

In November, she told Fox News’ Jesse Watters, “There were cameras all over my husband when he was murdered. There have been cameras all over me, analyzing my every move, analyzing my every smile, my every tear. We deserve to have cameras in there.”

While it remains unclear whether cameras will be allowed at Tyler Robinson’s next court appearance, the judge has granted Erika Kirk’s request to serve as the official victim representative. “This court will recognize Miss Erika Kirk as the designated victim representative in this case,” the judge said. “Thank you.”