Attorneys for Tyler Robinson are attempting to prevent cameras and photographers from entering the courtroom during his upcoming preliminary hearing, according to a report published August 24.
Robinson, 23, is accused of the fatal shooting of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus on Sept. 10, 2025. Prosecutors have stated they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
The preliminary hearing, which determines if there is sufficient probable cause to proceed to trial, is scheduled to resume in 4th District Judge Tony Graf’s courtroom on Sept. 1. During this session, both sides are expected to present final closing arguments.
Defense attorneys recently filed oppositions to requests from the Salt Lake Tribune and KUTV for a television camera and a still photographer to cover the Sept. 1 hearing. The defense also requested that the unredacted content of those media requests be marked as private and sealed.
In their motion, Robinson's attorneys argued that the case should not be turned into a reality TV show. They contended that electronic media coverage could jeopardize the right to a fair trial by potentially sullying the future jury pool and that media presence distracts participants from focusing on the facts of the hearing.
The legal proceedings have involved significant debate regarding evidence and media access. In July, a week-long preliminary hearing was held where Judge Graf overruled objections to most electronic media requests, though he acknowledged Robinson's standing objection to the live-streaming of certain evidence.
Jeff Neiman, the attorney for the Kirk family, has requested that every exhibit entered into evidence during the preliminary hearing be visible to everyone lawfully present in the courtroom.
Robinson faces capital murder and six other charges. Prosecutors submitted a memorandum on July 28 outlining why they believe Robinson should stand trial for aggravated murder, while the defense filed a 41-page reply arguing the state failed to prove the required aggravating factors for the death penalty.
