Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect charged with assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in September, was seen for the first time at an in-person court hearing on Thursday.
A picture of Robinson shows the 22-year-old assassination suspect smiling while talking to one of his lawyers ahead of Thursday’s court hearing at a courthouse in Provo, Utah. Robinson can be seen wearing a blue dress shirt and a tie.
The New York Post reported that Judge Tony Graf allowed reporters to film a portion of Thursday’s court proceedings; however, the judge explained that part of the hearing would take place behind closed doors. The outlet noted that Robinson’s lawyers requested that the suspect’s family be allowed to remain in the hearing; however, Graf denied the request.
According to The New York Post, Robinson currently faces charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering, and the commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child.
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The New York Post reported that while Graf previously ruled in October in favor of allowing Robinson to appear in court in civilian clothing, the judge ordered the suspect to remain shackled while appearing in court. Graf also ordered reporters not to capture pictures of Robinson in his restraints to avoid tainting the jury.
In a video shared by Fox News on X, formerly Twitter, Robinson can be seen smiling and appearing to laugh while talking with one of his lawyers in the courthouse on Thursday.
According to Fox News, security at the Utah County Court was heavily increased ahead of the 22-year-old suspect’s hearing on Thursday. The outlet noted that the courthouse’s main entrance was zip-tied shut, only one entrance was provided for members of the public, and armed security guards were posted throughout the building.
A video shared on social media shows a SWAT vehicle and multiple police vehicles escorting Robinson prior to Thursday’s first in-person hearing.
The New York Post reported that Robinson’s lawyers were expected to ask the court on Thursday to prohibit cameras from filming future proceedings in the courtroom. Erika Kirk, Turning Point USA’s CEO and the widow of Charlie Kirk, recently spoke out regarding Robinson’s lawyers’ attempt to have the court ban cameras in the courtroom.
Kirk told Fox News host Jesse Watters, “There were cameras all over my husband when he was murdered. There have been cameras all over my friends and family mourning. There have been cameras all over me, analyzing my every move, analyzing my every smile, my every tear. We deserve to have cameras in there.”