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Judge Punts On News Cameras In The Courtroom In Charlie Kirk Murder

Bonisiwe Shabane
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judge punts on news cameras in the courtroom in charlie kirk murder

Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect in the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, appears by camera before Judge Tony Graf of the 4th District Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025 for or his initial appearance in Provo Utah. (Pool photo by Scott G Winteron/Deseret News) A Utah judge has barred news media from taking some video and photos of Charlie Kirk’s accused killer — including any of his shackles — but wasn’t ready Monday to place further limits on... Fourth District Judge Tony Graf called media and public attention to the case “extraordinary.” He did not rule on a request from Tyler Robinson’s attorneys to restrict news coverage of the case, saying it... The case has drawn intense national attention after Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University on Sept.

10. A family friend persuaded Robinson to turn himself in, ending a 33-hour manhunt, authorities said. Robinson’s defense attorneys argue the publicity could harm his right to a fair trial. Erika Kirk tells Jesse Watters why she believes a Utah judge should allow cameras in the courtroom for proceedings against her husband's accused assassin, Tyler Robinson. PROGRAMMING ALERT: Watch the full interview Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on "Jesse Watters Primetime."

Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, is calling for a judge to reject a motion to curtail news cameras from the courtroom in the proceedings against her husband's accused... "There were cameras all over my husband when he was murdered," she told Fox News' Jesse Watters in an exclusive interview. "There have been cameras all over my friends and family mourning. 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." The high profile of Robinson's case has resulted in stepped-up security measures at the courthouse, where the suspect himself has not appeared physically in person.

He hasn't even shown his face while attending the last two public hearings virtually. PROVO, Utah (Scripps News Salt Lake City) — Judge Tony Graf will allow Tyler Robinson to appear in court in civilian clothing, but he will be shackled. On Sept. 16, 2025, Tyler Robinson appeared in court virtually for the first time since being arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10, 2025. (Court TV)

His lawyers had argued it was necessary to avoid negative pre-trial publicity. However, Robinson will remain shackled because of security concerns. “The case has attracted extraordinary public and media attention. Images of Mr. Robinson in jail clothing are likely to circulate widely and influence prospective jurors,” Judge Graf said, reading from his ruling on Monday. Robinson is accused of assassinating conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk during an appearance at Utah Valley University in September.

Judge Graf said Robinson’s presumption of innocence outweighed any inconvenience the sheriff’s office might have with the request. But he rejected a defense request to have Robinson be in court unshackled. Cameras should be banned from court hearings for Charlie Kirk’s accused killer, both law enforcement and the defense team for Tyler Robinson are arguing in court. They’re asking a judge to limit media coverage of the high-profile case. The request was detailed in a court filing by Robinson’s defense attorneys, who also have argued that their client should be allowed to wear plain clothes and sit without shackles during his court hearings... Utah County prosecutors oppose that request, but their arguments were filed in secret because their response discusses security measures at the Provo courthouse.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office has asked 4th District Court Judge Tony Graf to prohibit any further photography or video coverage of any future proceedings, Robinson’s attorneys revealed in their latest filing, adding that... Graf, a newly appointed judge, has vowed that he will conduct the proceedings “open to the public” and that they will be “handled with diligence and competence to ensure that justice is never compromised.” What we still don’t know about Charlie Kirk’s murder: Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, said she wants cameras in the courtroom when the man accused of killing her husband stands trial for murder. Charlie Kirk, 31, an influential ally of President Donald Trump and cofounder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while speaking to students at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

Days later, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was charged with aggravated murder and other felonies, and prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty. Robinson's defense attorneys have suggested in court filings that the judge should limit media coverage, specifically photo and video coverage, of the proceedings. But Erika Kirk, who took over as CEO of Turning Point after her husband's death, told FOX News Channel "there's nothing to hide" in the case against Robinson. "There were cameras all over my husband when he was murdered. There have been cameras all over my friends and family mourning. 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," she said during an exclusive interview with "Jesse Watters Primetime," expected to air in full on Nov. 5. Graphic videos of Charlie Kirk's shooting spread quickly on social media, and his memorial service in Arizona was live streamed and viewed by millions. Tyler James Robinson, 22, of Washington City, is charged with aggravated murder in the death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk. Booking photo taken in Utah County, Utah, Sept. 12, 2025.

A Utah judge has barred news media from taking some video and photos of Charlie Kirk’s accused killer — including any of his shackles — but wasn’t ready Monday to place further limits on... Fourth District Judge Tony Graf called media and public attention to the case “extraordinary.” He did not rule on a request from Tyler Robinson’s attorneys to restrict news coverage of the case, saying it... The case has drawn intense national attention after Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. A family friend persuaded Robinson to turn himself in, ending a 33-hour manhunt, authorities said. In this image from video provided by Utah State Courts, Tyler James Robinson attends a virtual court hearing from prison in Utah, on Tuesday, Sept.

16, 2025, accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Home > In Focus > Erika Kirk Seeks Courtroom Cameras in Trial Over Husband's Assassination Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has asked a Utah judge to block a defense request that would limit news cameras during the trial of her husband's accused killer. Her position highlights the ongoing push for openness in a case that has drawn national attention since the shooting two months ago. The incident occurred on September 10, 2025, during a Turning Point USA event on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. An estimated 3,000 people attended the outdoor gathering when Tyler Robinson allegedly fired a single shot from a high-powered rifle on a nearby rooftop.

Kirk, 31, co-founder of the nonprofit Turning Point USA, died at the scene. Robinson, a 22-year-old from Provo, faces charges of aggravated murder along with other counts. Prosecutors have indicated they may seek the death penalty. In a recent Fox News interview, Kirk explained her stance on media access. "There were cameras all over my husband when he was murdered. … We deserve to have cameras in there," she said.

She emphasized the need for transparency in the process. Kirk added that the case evidence supports full public viewing, with no reason to restrict it. The court has made some preliminary decisions. It allowed Robinson to wear civilian clothes in court to preserve the presumption of innocence. However, the judge denied his request to appear without restraints due to security concerns. The next hearing is scheduled for January 16, 2026, where Robinson will appear in person for the first time.

PROVO, Utah (KUTV) — Recent court filings in the aggravated murder trial of Tyler Robinson revealed a contentious struggle over public access to the proceedings. Tyler James Robinson, 22, is accused of assassinating Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. Both the prosecution and defense are accused of "chipping away" at access, prompting attorneys for the news media — called media intervenors — to fight back for transparency, notification, and access. On Sept. 16, Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced his intent to seek the death penalty against Robinson, stating, "I do not take this decision lightly and it is a decision I have made independently." Robinson is charged with aggravated murder and multiple other felonies and is facing the death penalty if convicted of shooting and killing Kirk on Sept.

10 while Kirk was speaking in front of approximately 3,000 people at Utah Valley University in Orem.

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