SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — A Utah judge has officially ruled that reporters and members of the public will be allowed to attend a key upcoming hearing for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Judge Tony Graf on Monday denied a defense request to close portions of Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for July 6-10. During that hearing, prosecutors will be required to present enough evidence to convince the court that the case should proceed to trial.
“The public and the media enjoy a presumptive right to access court proceedings, including preliminary hearings,” Graf said while delivering his ruling. He added that Robinson’s attorneys had not demonstrated that public presentation of the evidence would prevent their client from receiving a fair trial.
The preliminary hearing is expected to be the most significant presentation of evidence in the case so far.
Robinson, 23, of southwestern Utah, is charged with aggravated murder in connection with the Sept. 10 assassination of Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University.
Defense attorneys argued that extensive media coverage surrounding the case would jeopardize Robinson’s right to a fair trial. They have also expressed concerns that some reporting has inaccurately portrayed their client as public interest in the case has grown.
With the judge’s ruling, journalists and the public will be able to observe the hearing as prosecutors begin laying out the evidence supporting the murder charge.
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Authorities have said DNA consistent with Robinson’s was found on the trigger of the rifle used to kill Kirk, the fired cartridge casing, two unfired cartridges and a towel used to wrap the rifle. If convicted, prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.