PROVO, Utah (KUTV) — Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, has been scheduled to make an in-person appearance in a Utah County court on Thursday.

According to court documents, the hearing is to review the case status with the lawyers and to weigh in on concerns regarding media attention as the trial progresses.

Robinson, 22, was taken into custody 33 hours after the deadly shooting of Kirk at an open-air event on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. He was formally charged shortly after with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, tampering with a witness, and violent offense committed in the presence of a child.

Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty against Robinson should he be convicted after trial.

Since Robinson’s initial court appearance in mid-September, attorneys have gone back and forth on what Robinson would be allowed to wear in the courtroom and whether the media would be allowed to use cameras.

Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Tony F. Graf Jr., who would be presiding over the case, made the ruling that Robinson would be allowed to wear civilian clothes during his pretrial hearings. Judge Graf said the case has attracted an extraordinary public and media attention and images of jail clothes are likely to circulate. However, Robinson has a right to the presumption of innocence.

“The court finds that Mr. Robinson’s right to the presumption of innocence outweighs the minimal inconvenience of permitting civilian attire and Mr. Robinson shall be dressed as one who is presumed innocent,” Graf said after his ruling.

However, while Robinson will be able to appear in court in civilian clothes, Judge Graf determined he must be shackled in the least restrictive restraints possible. Graf cited the charges filed against Robinson being “extraordinarily serious” with heavy penalties as his reasoning.

MORE | Assassination of Charlie Kirk

The level of media allowed as the trial progresses still remains unclear.

Robinson cannot be photographed or shown in shackles, but Judge Graf said a decision on the level of media wouldn’t be made until attorneys file those specific motions.

Defense attorneys have asked the judge to ban cameras in the courtroom completely, citing a “content tornado” that could potentially devastate the jury pool.

Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

_____