Dec 11 (Reuters) – Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, sought on Thursday to limit media access to ensure a fair trial as the 22-year-old appeared in court for the first time.
Robinson, wearing a shirt and tie, sat next to his attorneys in the courtroom, about four miles (6 kilometers) from where Kirk, 31, an ally of President Donald Trump, was shot to death on Sept. 10. Robinson’s attorney, Richard Novak, told the court that Robinson’s father, mother and brother were also present.
The proceedings before District Court Judge Tony Graf in Provo, Utah, went into closed session shortly after they began. The public, including Robinson’s relatives, were asked to leave temporarily and the live video feed was turned off. During the closed session, Graf and the attorneys will discuss what can be made public from previous closed sessions. The judge, who is considering a request from Robinson’s attorneys to ban cameras from the courtroom, said he would rule on the access issue later Thursday.
Judge aims to protect presumption of innocence
Robinson is accused of firing a bullet from a rooftop during a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Utah Valley University, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City, killing Kirk, who was debating students about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Orem.
Kirk’s death sparked condemnation of political violence across the ideological spectrum.
Since Robinson’s first court appearance via video on Oct. 27, Graf has issued multiple rulings aimed at protecting his presumption of innocence in the case, which he said has attracted “unusual” public attention.
The judge ruled that Robinson could appear in court in street clothes but must be physically restrained. Graf barred media from photographing or photographing Robinson in handcuffs because his attorneys said photos of Robinson restrained and wearing prison garb could prejudice jurors.
The court appointed a videographer and a photographer to share images and audio from the courtroom with other news outlets.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, now the director of Kirk’s conservative Turning Point group, called for cameras to be allowed in the courtroom to preserve transparency.
Robinson was charged with seven criminal counts, including aggravated murder, perverting the course of justice by disposing of evidence, and witness tampering by asking his roommate to delete incriminating texts. Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty.
(Reporting by Andrew Hay; Editing by Donna Bryson and Rod Nickell)