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Alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson to make first in-person court appearance
By Stepheny Price, Michael Ruiz, Adam Sabes, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten
Published December 11, 2025
PROVO, Utah – The man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk made his first in-person court appearance Thursday, nearly three months after he was taken into custody.
The hearing marks the most significant step in the case so far and comes amid growing concerns from media outlets and from Kirk’s widow about the increasing secrecy surrounding the proceedings.
Tyler Robinson, charged with aggravated murder and multiple related felonies in Kirk’s fatal shooting during a Sept. 10 event at Utah Valley University, has appeared via video or audio from jail in previous court hearings. Since then, much of the case has unfolded behind closed doors, prompting a coalition of media organizations, including Fox News, to demand greater transparency. Several members of Robinson's family, including his parents, were seen at the hearing.
That coalition requested that prosecutors and defense attorneys be required to give advance notice whenever they seek to seal filings or restrict public access so that those limits can be challenged before taking effect.
Security measures were increased at the Utah County Court on Thursday ahead of Robinson's hearing, with only one way in and out for members of the public, and armed security guards were seen throughout the building. The main entrance to the courthouse was zip-tied shut. A Utah County Sheriff's Office armored SWAT vehicle arrived at the courthouse ahead of the hearing, with several law enforcement vehicles.
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Robinson appeared in a dress shirt, tie and slacks, and showed little emotion as the hearing began. His parents and brother were there as well, his attorney said in the courtroom. When the hearing began, Judge Tony Graf immediately moved the court into closed session and kicked the public out of the room.
After approximately two hours, the court was reopened for the media to return. Graf ruled that removing camera access would be "disproportionate," and ordered that cameras be positioned away from Robinson following concerns that the suspect’s shackles could be visible.
Prosecutor Christopher Ballard urged the judge to clarify the court’s pretrial publicity order, arguing that its reference to "witnesses" is overly broad and could restrict speech. Defense attorney Richard Novak countered that the order is neither vague nor unconstitutional, saying it only impacts the conduct of lawyers who already have a duty to identify and advise potential witnesses. Novak said the defense has no trouble complying with the order and asked the court to deny the state’s request for clarification.
Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, Thursday, December, 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
At the parties were presenting their cases, Robinson was seen looking down. Robinson's father was seen taking notes while sitting in court, with his mother dabbing his eyes.
Next, the court turned to a separate motion from a coalition of news outlets seeking limited intervenor status so they can be notified of future attempts to seal records or closed proceedings. Attorneys for the media argued that Utah law permits access, while the defense urged the judge to define the media's scope.
"We don't want the chaos that is out in the media, in this courtroom," defense attorney Staci Visser said. "So whatever this court can do to prevent that is what we're asking."
Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, Thursday, December, 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
Graf said he will take additional time before deciding what portions of a recent closed hearing can be released to the public, telling the courtroom he must "be narrow in my approach" and would "rather do it right and take more time than to be rash and miss the mark." The judge scheduled a virtual hearing for Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. MT for rulings on the publicity order and media intervention, followed by an in-person hearing on Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. MT with Robinson expected to appear. The next major date after that is Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. MT, also in person, with Robinson present.
Judge Graf granted the state’s request for clarification, ruling that the term "witness" in the publicity order "applies to all witnesses who are part of the prosecution and defense teams," including anyone the parties "have a good faith belief will be called to testify," and said that the order "regulates the behavior of attorneys" on both sides.
Ballard asked the court to formally recognize Erika Kirk as the case’s victim representative, saying she had filed the appropriate request and saying that "we don’t have an alleged victim, we have an alleged perpetrator." Defense attorney Kathy Nester did not object, and Judge Graf granted the request, officially designating Kirk's widow as the victim's representative.
"This court will recognize Miss Erika Kirk as the designated victim representative in this case," he said.
This court will recognize Miss Erika Kirk as the designated victim representative in this case.
WATCH: Intense security seen as Tyler Robinson appears in court
Graf said the issues being addressed at Thursday's hearing include the audio recording of the closed hearing in October and the transcript of that hearing, as well as the state's motion to amend or clarify the gag order.
Legal analyst and California-based trial attorney Roger Bonakdar said the dramatic shift in transparency has been striking from the start.
"It has been pretty odd that the information tap was at full blast for a little while and now it's completely shut off," he said. "It's really kind of inconsistent with how you see cases move forward typically."
Bonakdar said authorities were unusually forthcoming early in the investigation, releasing details that prosecutors typically hold back.
Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, Thursday, December, 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via Pool)
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"When they first arrested Tyler Robinson, the information tap was at full blast," he said. "They told us that they had audio recordings from Tyler Robinson and a purported confession. They told us that there was video footage from a local fast food restaurant. They were very, very almost oversharing in the beginning."
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But he said that openness abruptly ended.
"Now they've shut that tap off and they're saying you can't even come to court and hear about what we're doing when most of it's probably procedural," he continued.
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Because prosecutors proceeded by indictment rather than complaint, he noted, the public will not see a preliminary hearing, and substantive evidence may only emerge if the defense files certain motions months down the road.
The push for transparency intensified after both sides jointly moved to classify the audio and transcript from a closed Oct. 24 hearing as "private." That session focused on courthouse-security questions and how Robinson should appear in court going forward.
Media organizations argued the public has a right to know when records are being sealed and to challenge those limitations in real time.
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Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk is seated in the recording room for "The Charlie Kirk Show" during an exclusive interview with Fox News' Jesse Watters that aired Nov. 5, 2025. (Jesse Watters Primetime)
Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, voiced concerns last month about the shrinking visibility around the case. She questioned why the suspect is being shielded from cameras when her husband was killed in front of a crowd.
"There were cameras all over my husband when he was murdered," she told Fox News' Jesse Watters in an exclusive interview. "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."
During an appearance on "Will Cain country" on Thursday, Erika Kirk had a message for Robinson ahead of the hearing.
WATCH: Accused Charlie Kirk killer appears in court
"I don't I have nothing to say to him," Kirk said. "I forget what he did. No. Do I let that absorb and consume me? No. But I have nothing to say to you. You murdered my husband. I have to tell my daughter every day and explain to her why daddy's not coming home. Why am I going to waste my breath?"
Bonakdar said her reaction is understandable, explaining, "Erika's sentiments are readily understandable. She's a grieving widow and, you know, our hearts all go out to her."
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Tyler Robinson appears virtually in Utah court on Sept. 16, 2025, to face charges in the assassination of Charlie Kirk. (Utah State Courts)
At the same time, he said the court is under immense pressure given the political and national significance of the case.
"This process has become complicated because of how significant Charlie was," he said. "This is a very politically charged case. There are very high emotions in this case. And there's also issues of tainting the jury pool."
He explained that judges must balance the First Amendment rights of the media with the need to preserve the integrity of the trial, saying, "Court proceedings are supposed to be open and public… but you do have some real issues with how the public is going to access this information as to the consequences for the integrity of the trial."
Judge Tony Graf speaks to attorney Greg Skordas, not shown, who appeared on behalf of Utah County, as Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect in the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, appeared by camera on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, for his initial appearance in Provo, Utah. (Scott G Winterton/Pool via Deseret News)
The judge has ordered that Thursday’s hearing be held in person and open to the public as much as possible, although no details from the Oct. 24 proceeding may be disclosed. If the hearing transitions into a closed session, the media coalition’s attorney may remain in the courtroom but may not share any portion of the sealed discussion with any outlet or client.
The court has also imposed strict guidelines on how Robinson may be shown. He cannot be photographed or filmed in shackles and may only be depicted while seated. Images of his family members are prohibited, and reporters must comply with the court’s decorum order.
These restrictions mirror earlier rulings, including the postponement of a prior hearing after disputes over whether Robinson could appear in jail attire and how that might influence public perception.
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Bonakdar said such concerns are rooted in fairness.
"Courts oftentimes will prohibit the media from depicting the defendant in shackles or in jail clothing because it creates this inference of guilt," he explained.
Appearing restrained, he said, can lead jurors to view a defendant as dangerous or guilty before any evidence is presented. Still, he noted the restrictions may have limited impact in such a widely covered case.
"Anybody who does a Google search will know… at some point it may be an exercise in futility. Is the damage already done?"
Robinson’s limited physical appearances have raised questions as well. Bonakdar said the most likely explanation for keeping him on video is security.
"They're gonna say that Tyler Robinson is a security risk… he's at risk for being hit by someone who wants to seek revenge," he said. While he acknowledged the reasoning, he added that it is "very clearly a deviation from the norm."
WATCH: Street clothes at center of Tyler Robinson court case
Despite public frustration with the pace of the case, Bonakdar said the timeline is typical for a homicide case, particularly one in which prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.
"The timing of the case is actually very consistent with the severity of the allegation," he said. Murder cases "move very slowly," he added, especially when prosecutors proceed by indictment rather than complaint.
He said Thursday’s hearing will be narrow in scope but significant.
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"It’s going to be somewhat of a one-trick pony," he said. "It’s going to be about this prior sealing order."
The court, he said, set the hearing "specially" to address media objections claiming the secrecy violates First Amendment protections.
Whether Thursday’s proceeding brings clarity or adds more restrictions remains to be seen, but Bonakdar noted that the public deserves to understand at least the procedural posture of the case as it moves slowly toward trial, which he cautioned could still be a year or more away.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/alleged-charlie-kirk-assassin-tyler-robinson-make-first-in-person-court-appearance