Tyler Robinson, accused of attempting to assassinate Charlie Kirk, has been granted permission by a judge to wear civilian clothes during his trial.
The 22-year-old faces charges related to the fatal shooting of the conservative figure at Utah Valley University on September 10. This legal concession was approved on Monday afternoon.
Robinson, while not appearing on video, confirmed to District Court Judge Tony F. Grant Jr. that he could hear the proceedings by responding, “Yes, I can.”
The court also allowed Robinson to refrain from attending a scheduled in-person hearing at the Provo courthouse on Thursday, which has now been canceled.
Judge Grant Jr. emphasized that the decision to permit civilian attire stems from the principle of maintaining the “presumption of innocence.”
Despite being permitted to wear non-prison clothing, Robinson will still be required to wear handcuffs and shackles during courtroom appearances, as ordered by the judge.
‘The court recognizes that Mr. Robinson has no criminal history and no record of misconduct while in custody, however the charges he faces are extraordinarily serious, carrying potential penalties of life imprisonment or death,’ Judge Grant Jr. added.
Cameras have also been banned from showing ‘him entering, exiting or standing in the courtroom.’ His restraints are not allowed to be photographed or recorded, per the judge.
Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin Tyler Robinson will be allowed to dress in civilian clothing for his trial, a judge ruled Monday afternoon
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck on September 10 while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University
These decisions follow suit with two of the most recent prolific murder trials involving convicted murderer Bryan Kohberger and alleged assassin Luigi Mangione.
The defense argued a jury could be swayed by the sight of Robinson in jail clothes and shackles, as reported by Court TV.
To make their case, they noted a ‘highly publicized death penalty case in Ada County, Idaho’ – referencing Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to brutally killing four University of Idaho students on July 2, 2025.
During his court proceedings he was allowed to wear a suit and appear without his handcuffs for his pretrial hearings.
Meanwhile, Mangione, who is accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was granted the chance to wear civilian clothes depending on what courthouse he is in.
A judge denied a request for him not to be shackled in court. He has since been seen on several occasions with restraints on his wrists and ankles during his appearances.
Robinson’s lawyer previously argued: ‘With each development in the case generating thousands of articles and comments online, the likelihood of potential jurors seeing and drawing conclusions regarding Mr Robinson’s guilt and or deserved punishment from obvious signs of pretrial incarceration will only increase.
These decisions follow suit with two of the most recent prolific murder trials involving convicted murderer Bryan Kohberger (left) and alleged assassin Luigi Mangione (right)
Defense attorneys Richard G Novak, left, Michael N Burt, and Kathryn Nester, who are representing Tyler Robinson
‘Indeed, given the pervasive media coverage in this case, the repeated and ubiquitous display of Mr Robinson in jail garb, shackles, and a suicide vest will undoubtedly be viewed by prospective jurors and will inevitably lead to prospective juror perception that he is guilty and deserving of death.’
Robinson’s lawyers claimed their client’s behavior has been ‘polite, deferential to jail staff and without any disciplinary issue while in the Utah County Jail.’
The 22-year-old has been placed on suicide watch in jail, where his movements will be monitored at all times.
He is also not allowed to wear regular prison garb and instead he must wear the special anti-suicide smock at all times.
These are made of an especially thick and quilted material that they cannot tear or use to hang or suffocate themselves.
Kirk is seen with his wife Erika Kirk in an undated picture. He fathered two children with her
Robinson is seen at the university the day Kirk was fatally shot
Because the fabric is too stiff, the suit cannot be rolled or tied into a noose.
Watch cells usually also have cushioned walls and floors so inmates can’t injure themselves by banging their heads against them.
Authorities arrested Robinson when he showed up with his parents at his hometown sheriff’s office in southwest Utah, more than a three-hour drive from the site of the shooting, to turn himself in.
Prosecutors have since revealed incriminating text messages and DNA evidence that they say connect Robinson to the killing.
A note that Robinson left for his romantic partner before the shooting said he had the opportunity to kill one of the nation’s leading conservative voices, ‘and I’m going to take it,’ Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray told reporters before the first hearing. Gray also said Robinson wrote in a text about Kirk to his partner: “I had enough of his hatred.”
President Donald Trump is seen presenting the Medal of Freedom to Erika Kirk in honor of her late husband earlier this month
The assassination of Kirk, a close ally of Donald Trump who worked to steer young voters toward conservatism, has galvanized Republicans who have vowed to carry on Kirk’s mission of moving American politics further right.
The President has declared Kirk a ‘martyr’ for freedom and threatened to crack down on what he called the ‘radical left.’
He presented Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, with the Medal of Freedom in honor of her late husband earlier this month.
