The man charged with shooting and killing Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk made his first in-person court appearance Thursday.
Tyler Robinson, 22, is charged with aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice for hiding the rifle and discarding his clothing, two counts of witness tampering for instructing a roommate to delete texts and stay silent and one count of committing a violent offense in front of children.
Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty. Robinson is being held in jail without bail.
Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, listens as one of his attorneys speaks during a court hearing in Provo, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune)
Robinson was escorted into court with restraints on his wrists and ankles and wearing a dress shirt, tie and slacks and smiled at his parents and brother sitting in the front row of the courtroom. He previously appeared in court via video or audio feed from jail.
His attorneys and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office have asked Judge Tony Graf to ban cameras in the courtroom. Several national and local news organizations are fighting to preserve media access to the case.
When the hearing began, Judge Tony Graf immediately moved the court into closed session and kicked the public out of the room.
Judge rules cameras will be allowed in court
More than two hours later, the hearing resumed with the judge speaking to attorneys regarding cameras in the courtroom. The issue was raised due to the pool camera showing Robinson’s shackles and computers in the courtroom. Judge Graf then ruled that the pool would be relocated to another part of the courtroom to avoid showing the items in question.
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