Tyler Robinson’s defense team has requested that a Utah judge close a key pretrial hearing to the public, citing concerns that evidence presented could taint the jury pool for his upcoming murder trial. The hearing, scheduled for July 6-10, is part of the case against Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in September 2025.
Defense Seeks Closed Hearing
Robinson’s lawyers, including Staci Visser, argued that closing the hearing would prevent premature public dissemination of evidence that may later be deemed inadmissible. Visser proposed that the court seal the hearing and release a redacted transcript afterward. Judge Tony Graf expressed skepticism, questioning whether the request was overly broad and not narrowly tailored to balance access with Robinson’s right to a fair trial.
Prosecutors Oppose Sealing Evidence
Prosecutors have argued that the defense’s motion lacks specificity, as it does not identify which testimony or exhibits should be kept from the public. The defense has also sought to punish prosecutors for discussing the case outside of court, though the judge has not yet ruled on that motion. Graf previously denied a defense request to ban cameras from the courtroom during the trial.
Evidence in Question
Prosecutors plan to present evidence including Discord communications, text messages, written or recorded statements, videos of the shooting, and a note. The defense aims to block public access to testimony or exhibits that may be challenged as inadmissible at trial. Experts have weighed in on potential defense strategies, though no final decisions have been made.
Background on the Case
Robinson, 22, is accused of shooting Kirk, 31, during a Turning Point USA event attended by roughly 3,000 people. The shooting occurred as Kirk was answering a question from the audience. The case has drawn significant media attention due to Kirk’s high-profile status as a conservative activist.