Judge Tony Graf Jr. rejected a motion by the defense of Tyler Robinson to restrict public access to certain court documents and partially close hearings, arguing that the public’s right to transparency outweighs concerns about selecting an impartial jury in the case concerning the September 2025 murder of Charlie Kirk. The 22-year-old defendant faces the death penalty.
On Friday, March 13, 2026, a hearing was held at the 4th District Court in Provo regarding a motion filed by the defense of Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of the attack and murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The tragic incident occurred on September 10, 2025, on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, where Kirk was speaking at a Turning Point USA event attended by about 3,000 people. Robinson allegedly fired a single shot from the roof of a building approximately 130–140 meters away, striking Kirk in the neck; the victim died shortly afterward in the hospital.
The defense requested that part of the evidence be sealed and that certain segments of the hearing scheduled for April 17, 2026 be closed to the media. They argued that the case’s extreme media exposure — including what they described as “relentless and biased” press coverage and statements by officials — would make it impossible to select an impartial jury. Attorney Visser emphasized that publishing preliminary evidence could “cement opinions” about her client’s guilt or innocence regardless of its actual content. The defense plans to present a compilation of the “most egregious” examples of harmful publicity at the April hearing, including alleged privacy violations and media inaccuracies.
Judge Tony Graf Jr. rejected the request, stating that the defendant had not provided sufficient grounds for the principle of openness to yield to concerns about a fair trial. He cited rulings of the Utah Supreme Court indicating that in high-profile cases juror impartiality can be ensured through extensive voir dire, detailed questionnaires, and thorough questioning of potential jurors. Graf also stressed the public’s presumptive right to access court proceedings.
Additionally, the judge refused to ban cameras from the hearing, although he ordered the defense to submit by March 30 a redacted version of its motion seeking to exclude electronic media. Prosecutors defended transparency, emphasizing that their client is the citizens of the state of Utah — not the media — though the public interest in openness remains crucial.
Robinson appeared at the hearing wearing a blue shirt and tie, taking notes. He is charged with aggravated murder and faces the death penalty, which prosecutors have announced they will seek if he is convicted. He has pleaded not guilty. The next hearing on the issue of cameras is scheduled for April 17, while a preliminary evidentiary hearing is set for May 18–20, 2026.
The case has sparked enormous emotions in the United States due to the profile of the victim — Charlie Kirk was a prominent ally of Donald Trump and a mobilizer of young conservatives. The defense had previously unsuccessfully attempted to disqualify the county prosecutor’s office due to an alleged conflict of interest (the daughter of one of the prosecutors was present at the event).