Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, are once again asking a Utah judge to keep cameras out of an upcoming hearing. This time, they argue that a social media post from President Donald Trump has increased the risk that coverage could prejudice potential jurors against their client.
Robinson’s 23-year-old defense team has repeatedly opposed news cameras in the courtroom, challenging both video recording and still photography. Previous requests to bar the cameras have not persuaded the judge.
With Robinson scheduled to return to court next week, his lawyers pointed to a Truth Social post Trump published in late October.
Attorneys for accused assassin Tyler Robinson, right, are asking a Utah judge to keep news cameras from covering his next hearing, arguing that a Truth Social post from President Donald Trump has increased the potential “prejudicial impact” of electronic media coverage. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images; Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
“The judge in the Charlie Kirk case is doing a terrible job!” Trump wrote after Robinson’s attorney suggested a trial date in the third quarter of 2029. “This case should be tried within a month, not three years — and it should be over with! The judge is desecrating the memory of the Great Charlie Kirk, while taking forever to ask questions that people already know the answer to. The whole Country is mocking him and our ‘Legal’ System. JUSTICE FOR CHARLIE!”
Along with renewing their broader objection to the court’s process for deciding whether cameras may be present, Robinson’s attorneys argued that “continuing [electronic media coverage] threatens Mr. Robinson’s rights to a fair trial by an impartial jury by perpetuating bias in the public against Mr. Robinson.”
Charlie Kirk tosses hats to the crowd after arriving at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking during his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
“The President’s post only heightens the prejudicial impact of EMC at the November 9 hearing,” the defense wrote, saying cameras “create an unnecessary risk” that courtroom statements could circulate without their full context.
“Such out-of-context statements provide unnecessary ammunition for public commentary, including by politicians, that risks exerting undue pressure on the proceedings,” the attorneys continued. “Even still photography creates risks of prejudicial dissemination and out-of-context interpretation.”
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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A map of the UVU campus identifies key locations around the courtyard where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10, 2025. (After-Action report for Utah Valley University)
The defense noted that next week’s scheduling hearing is not expected to include evidence or testimony from witnesses.
“Any resultant scheduling order will be publicly accessible, and the proceeding will remain open to the public and members of the press, who may attend and report on it,” the attorneys wrote.
People flee after shots were fired during Charlie Kirk’s appearance at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
Although no witnesses are expected to testify next week, Robinson’s attorneys also renewed their objection to cameras, arguing that “this Court’s procedure for adjudicating the request does not allow any opportunity for witnesses to address privacy or security concerns.”
Robinson is accused of killing 31-year-old Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, during a Turning Point USA event in Orem.
Utah County prosecutors have proposed Jan. 31, 2028, as their preferred trial date, while saying they could be ready to proceed in October 2027. Robinson’s defense team has suggested late 2029 as a “soft target” for the trial.
Judge Tony Graf Jr. is expected to take up the trial schedule during Monday’s hearing.
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