Cameras Allowed in Court for Trial of Accused Charlie Kirk Assassin, Judge Rules
A Utah judge has ruled that cameras will be permitted in the courtroom during the high-profile trial of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Judge Tony Graf, Jr. issued the decision Thursday, allowing broadcast access to the proceedings while laying out strict boundaries for media conduct. Robinson, who appeared in court for the first time since his arrest in September, faces charges including aggravated murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and obstruction of justice.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea.
Judge Graf said that while the court acknowledges the seriousness of the case and the media’s interest, transparency must be balanced with the rights of the defendant.
“I find that excluding the cameras from the courtroom would be disproportionate,” Graf stated. “Transmission cannot begin until the court is in session and must end when the session ends. Cameras will be positioned away from the defense table, and the court reserves the right to order them on or off at any point.”
Robinson’s attorneys pushed back against the decision, warning that widespread media access could compromise their client’s ability to receive a fair trial.
But supporters of Kirk and his family have strongly backed the move toward transparency. Kirk’s widow, Erika, has been outspoken in her demand for full courtroom access.
“There were cameras all over my husband when he was murdered,” Erika said in a recent interview on Fox News. “There have been cameras on me, on my tears, on my smiles, on my friends and family — so we deserve cameras in that courtroom. Why not be transparent?”
The trial is expected to draw national attention, with conservative groups and media outlets closely watching the proceedings. Prosecutors have not announced whether they intend to pursue the death penalty, though Utah law permits it in aggravated murder cases.
No trial date has been set, but pre-trial hearings are expected to resume early next year.