Kirk shooting suspect can wear street clothes in court
A US judge has ruled that the 22-year-old man accused of killing Charlie Kirk can appear in court in street clothes but must be physically restrained due to safety concerns.
Tyler Robinson’s attorneys argue that in a case that will receive widespread media coverage and public attention, images of him shackled and dressed in prison garb will be widely disseminated and could harm future jurors.
Judge Tony Graf, acknowledging that the case had attracted “extraordinary” public and media attention, agreed to grant some leave before the trial to preserve Robinson’s presumption of innocence.
“Mr. Robinson will be dressed as someone who is presumed innocent,” Graf said during the virtual hearing held Monday local time.
Utah prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of Kirk on a college campus and plan to seek the death penalty.
Although Robinson had no prior criminal history, Graf said the charges against him were extremely serious and created safety concerns in the courtroom.
The court’s top priority is to protect attorneys, court staff and Robinson himself during potentially emotional hearings, Graf said before denying Robinson’s request for an unrestricted appearance.
But he prohibited members of the media from photographing or filming Robinson’s restraints.
Robinson is accused of firing the fatal shot at Kirk, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump who worked to sway young voters toward conservatism, from a rooftop overlooking the crowded quad at Utah Valley University in Orem.
He was arrested the next night when he arrived with his family to turn himself in at the sheriff’s office in his hometown in southwestern Utah, more than a three-hour drive from the scene of the shooting.
Prosecutors have since uncovered incriminating text messages and DNA evidence they say links Robinson to the murder.
Robinson reportedly texted her romantic partner saying she was targeting Kirk because she was “tired of his hate.”
Graf ordered Robinson to attend initial public hearings on Jan. 16 and Jan. 30. He appeared on a darkened screen from the prison on Monday and spoke only to confirm he was there.
