Judge Rules On Tyler Robinson’s Fight To Shield Key Evidence From Public

A Utah judge on Monday rejected a request from Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, to keep key court proceedings and evidence out of the public eye. 

Judge Tony Graf’s ruling means the media — and the public — will have access to Robinson’s preliminary hearing and evidence exhibits, scheduled for early July. At the hearing, prosecutors are expected to present evidence to establish probable cause for the case to proceed to trial.

In his ruling, Judge Graf said concerns about negative publicity did not outweigh the public’s right to an open judicial process, according to the New York Times. 

It’s the latest setback for Robinson’s defense team, which has failed to convince the judge to restrict media access and keep critical evidence under wraps. 

In May, Judge Graf also rejected a defense request to bar cameras, microphones, and still photographers from Robinson’s murder trial. The defense argued that allowing cameras would jeopardize Robinson’s “fair trial rights,” telling the judge that restrictions were necessary “to ensure Mr. Robinson’s rights to due process, to a fair and impartial jury, to counsel, to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, and to be free from cruel and unusual punishment.”

The prosecution pushed back, arguing that transparency builds public trust in the judicial process.

“Mischief lurks in the dark or in secret,” Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander said. “Conspiracy theories abound, and the antidote is the actual, real proceedings… Let’s shine a light on these proceedings, a bright light, so the public can have confidence in what happens in this courtroom.”

New court documents filed in April shed light on Robinson’s state of mind before he allegedly killed Kirk at Utah Valley University.

Robinson allegedly sent his boyfriend, whom he referred to as “Luna,” a message on the day of the shooting that read, “drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard,” The Daily Wire previously reported. 

“Luna, if you are reading this per my text, then I am so sorry. I left the house this morning on a mission, and sent an auto text. I am likely dead or facing a lengthy prison sentence. I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it,” the letter states, according to KSL.

“I don’t know if I will/have succeeded, but I had hoped to make it home to you. I wish we could have lived in a world where this did not feel necessary. I wish I could have stayed for you and lived our lives together. I lack the words to express how much I love you, and how very much you mean to me. Please try to find joy in this life. I love you, always, -Tyler,” the letter reviewed by KSL said.

Robinson’s mother previously told investigators that her son became more political and left-leaning over the past year, adopting pro-gay and pro-transgender views.

It remains unclear when the trial against Robinson will begin. If convicted, he faces the death penalty.