Criminal Justice
Defense lawyers in Charlie Kirk murder case want ban on courtroom cameras
Tyler Robinson, left, speaks with his attorney Kathryn Nester in court in Provo, Utah, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via the Associated Press)
Lawyers for the man accused of killing conservative political activist Charlie Kirk have asked a Utah judge to ban cameras from the courtroom and argue that media coverage about the case is making it impossible for him to get a fair trial.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, as well as prosecutors, want the court to allow cameras, arguing that transparency will guard against misinformation and conspiracy theories that concern defendant Tyler Robinson, the Associated Press reports.
At a hearing Friday, defense witnesses said conjecture in the media over Robinson’s guilt and depictions of him as a “monster” are tainting potential jurors by feeding into speculative stories based on Robinson’s courtroom demeanor and alleged confessions, according to the AP.
Robinson’s parents sat behind him at the hearing. His father lowered his head and stared downward, while the defense played a Fox News clip in which a commentator, identified as a former FBI agent, said Robinson was a sociopath, according to the AP.
“It’s turning outside the courtroom into like a reality TV show,” said defense witness Bryan Edelman, a social psychologist and a trial consultant. “I think it creates pressure on everybody to have cameras in here, from the jury to everyone involved.”
Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty for Robinson if he is convicted in the Sept. 10 shooting of Kirk. The conservative activist and founder of the conservative nonprofit organization Turning Point USA was addressing a crowd on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah, when he was shot in the neck.
Utah Judge Tony Graf said he would rule May 8 on whether cameras will continue to be allowed.
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