A veil of secrecy surrounding a key hearing in the criminal case against Tyler Robinson is set to be lifted, opening a previously closed courtroom moment to public scrutiny.
According to the New York Post, a Utah judge ruled Monday that records from a private hearing connected to the alleged assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk will be released, albeit with limited redactions.
Judge Tony Graf announced a brief video hearing, which was expected to last approximately 20 minutes.
Graf said a transcript from the Oct. 24 closed-door proceeding will be made public by the end of the day Monday. Audio from that hearing will also be released, though the judge cautioned it could take up to two weeks before it becomes available.
Robinson did not appear on camera during the video conference, but he confirmed his presence verbally.
“Yes, your honor,” Robinson said when Graf asked whether he was attending the hearing.
The sealed Oct. 24 session was held to determine courtroom security measures, including whether Robinson would be allowed to appear in civilian clothing and without restraints. Graf ruled that Robinson may wear non-jail attire but must remain shackled during court proceedings for safety reasons.
The issue of public access has been a point of contention throughout the case.
Earlier this month, the 22-year-old defendant appeared in court in person for the first time as his attorneys argued that cameras should be barred from the courtroom. They claimed media coverage could taint potential jurors and jeopardize Robinson’s right to a fair trial.
Despite those objections, several hours of that hearing were conducted privately, excluding both the press and the public.
Defense attorney Staci Visser accused media outlets of disregarding court orders by allegedly capturing images of Robinson in shackles.
“We don’t want the chaos that is out in the media in this courtroom,” Visser said.
Robinson faces seven felony charges, including aggravated murder, discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck in front of thousands of attendees during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. He was appearing as part of his American Comeback Tour.
A co-founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk had become a prominent voice in conservative politics. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
Erika Kirk has publicly pushed for courtroom transparency, arguing that cameras would allow the public to see the accused and dispel conspiracy theories surrounding her husband’s death. She has been designated the official victim representative in the case.
If convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty by firing squad, as Utah remains one of five states that permit that method of execution.
