Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing can wear street clothes in court amid
'extraordinary' attention
[October 28, 2025]
By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The 22-year-old Utah man charged with killing
Charlie Kirk can appear in court wearing street clothes but must be
physically restrained due to security concerns, a judge ruled Monday.
Attorneys for Tyler Robinson argued images of him shackled and in jail
clothing would spread widely in a case with extensive press coverage and
public interest, which they said could prejudice future jurors.
Judge Tony Graf agreed to make some allowances to protect Robinson's
presumption of innocence before a trial, agreeing that the case has
drawn “extraordinary" public and media attention.
“Mr. Robinson shall be dressed as one who is presumed innocent,” Graf
said during a virtual court hearing.
Utah prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder in the
Sept. 10 shooting of the conservative activist on a Utah college campus.
They plan to seek the death penalty.
While Robinson has no prior criminal history, Graf said the charges he
faces are extremely serious and present safety concerns in the
courtroom. It's the court's highest priority to protect the attorneys,
court staff and Robinson himself during what could be emotional
hearings, Graf said before denying Robinson's request to appear without
restraints. He did, however, prohibit members of the media from
photographing or filming Robinson's restraints.
Robinson is accused of shooting Kirk — an ally of President Donald Trump
who worked to steer young voters toward conservatism — from a rooftop
overlooking a crowded courtyard at Utah Valley University in Orem.
Robinson was arrested the following night when he showed up with his
parents to turn himself in at his hometown sheriff’s office in southwest
Utah, more than a three-hour drive from Orem.
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This photo released by the Utah Governor's Office on Sept. 12, 2025,
shows Tyler Robinson. (Utah Governor's Office via AP, File)
As law enforcement agencies were scouring the state for the shooter,
Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby said he received a phone call
from a retired deputy saying he knew who killed Kirk. Robinson's family
had reached out to the retired deputy, who they knew through their
involvement with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and
worked with him to help negotiate a peaceful surrender.
“Part of the negotiation of getting him to bring himself in was that,
that we would treat it as delicate and as soft as possible to make him
feel comfortable to where he would show up at my office,” Brooksby said
just after the arrest.
Prosecutors have since revealed incriminating text messages and DNA
evidence that they say connect Robinson to the killing.
Robinson reportedly texted his romantic partner that he targeted Kirk
because he “had enough of his hatred.”
Graf ordered Robinson to appear on Jan. 16 and Jan. 30 for his first
in-person public hearings. He appeared Monday from jail on a blacked out
screen and spoke only to confirm he was present.
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