Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, pushes to ban court cameras claiming biased coverage, attorneys say
The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk is asking a judge to ban cameras in his courtroom, saying the prosecution’s live feeds violate his right to a fair trial.
As Tyler Robinson appears in court Friday, his attorneys argue that biased coverage has tainted potential jurors in his aggravated murder trial.
Among the numerous examples cited was a New York Post story in which Robinson claimed to have confessed to Kirk’s murder during a courtroom interview on December 11. first appearance after being accused. His conversation with his lawyers could not be heard, but the report cited “lip-reading analysis” to support Robinson’s claim that he said, “I think about getting shot every day.”
“The primary purpose served by the livestream was not educational reporting of the court proceedings, but advertising profit, sensationalism, political agendas, and most importantly, the denigration of Mr. Robinson,” his lawyers wrote in their request to shut down the cameras.
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty if Robinson is found guilty. September 10 shooting The conservative activist addressed a crowd of thousands on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem.
Robinson, who turned 23 on Thursday, has not yet entered a plea.
Media sensationalism about the case cut both ways. The U.K.-based Daily Mail reported in a March 30 headline that the bullet that killed Kirk “did not match” the rifle allegedly used by Robinson. The story was based on something inconclusive, preliminary finding This statement by ballistics experts led to speculation about Robinson’s possible acquittal. The FBI is conducting additional testing, according to court documents.
Media outlets, prosecutors and Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, are asking the court to allow the cameras. They argue that the best way to guard against misinformation and conspiracy theories involving Robinson’s defense team is to make the process transparent.
But media outlets’ live coverage has already tested Judge Tony Graf’s patience.
During the hearing in December, Graf briefly stopped the live feed and ordered the camera moved after it showed the defendant’s shackles violated courtroom etiquette.
The hearing later in January was interrupted when Robinson’s lawyers said close-up shots of Robinson broadcast live by a local television station could again give rise to claims based on lip-reading. This was also a violation of Graf’s etiquette. The judge ordered the cameraman not to film Robinson for the remainder of the hearing.
Mike Judd, an attorney for a coalition of media organizations that includes the Associated Press fighting to maintain access, said Graf has so far focused on whether the rules were followed inside the courtroom, not what the media said outside of court.
“The court can do all of these things to try to control what is fed into the media ecosystem,” Judd said. “You reduce the likelihood that someone will later publish things that you think could potentially raise prejudicial concern.”
Policies regarding cameras and livestreaming vary among states, and many states, including Utah, give judges discretion in whether to allow cameras. Cameras are generally prohibited in federal courts.
“There is Supreme Court precedent that says courts should generally be open to the public, but that is not an absolute right,” said Teneille Brown, a law professor at the University of Utah. “Even if they allow public access, that does not imply a right to broadcast or record.”
Robinson’s attorneys are trying to delay his preliminary hearing in May because prosecutors must show they have enough evidence to proceed with the trial.
Prosecutors said DNA matching Robinson’s was found on the rifle’s trigger, the fired cartridge case, two unfired cartridges and a towel used to wrap the rifle. Defense attorneys stated that forensic reports showed that some items contained DNA from more than one person, requiring more sophisticated analysis.
Robinson reportedly said. sent a message Prosecutors said she targeted her romantic partner, Kirk, because she was “tired of his hatred.”
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