12 hours ago
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A Utah judge has ruled that cameras will be allowed in the courtroom as the murder case progresses against Tyler James Robinson, the 23-year-old man charged with assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year.
Robinson’s attorneys had sought to block still photographers, TV cameras and microphones from accessing portions of an evidentiary hearing. They raised concern about “prejudicial and misleading media coverage” that could compromise Robinson’s constitutional right to a “fair and impartial jury”, in a court filing.
Several news organizations, including the Salt Lake Tribune, The Associated Press, The New York Times and Fox News, opposed the request , writing in a recent memorandum that no evidence was provided of prejudice resulting from media coverage.
Lawyers for the media organizations also argued the press played an important role in allowing those unable to be physically present in the courtroom to follow along with the legal proceedings.
In a lengthy filing – more than 200 pages – Robinson’s defense team cited several examples of pretrial media coverage they believed could unduly influence jurors, including a December video from the New York Post, where the tabloid enlisted a lip-reading expert to decode remarks between Robinson and his legal counsel. The outlet suggested that Robinson said in the clip: “I think about the shooting daily.”
Tony Graf, the state district judge, said on Friday: “This court is not so cynical as to conclude that just because the parties did not present evidence of responsible journalism, none exists,.”
“The court must question not the entire universe of media outlets and social media sites that have published information or misinformation about this case,” he continued.
Kirk was fatally shot on 10 September at Utah Valley University during one of his well-known events, where he would debate ideological opponents. Kirk rose to prominence as the founder of Turning Point USA, an organization aimed at galvanizing young conservatives.
After the shooting, a manhunt ensued across the state. A day later, Robinson surrendered to law enforcement. The FBI has said it reconstructed a note from Robinson, in which he said he had an “opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk”.
Robinson is facing several charges including aggravated murder, a capital felony. If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
Due to the voluminous evidence in the case, a preliminary hearing has been delayed until July, Graf said.
Robinson was in attendance at the virtual Friday hearing.
“Mr Robinson, are you joining us this afternoon?” Graf asked.
Robinson mumbled a reply.
Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, voiced support for cameras in the courtroom last fall in a Fox News appearance.
“Why not be transparent?” she said. “There’s nothing to hide. I know there’s not, because I’ve seen what the case is built on.”
