A Utah judge will allow a livestream and news photography as prosecutors begin presenting evidence Monday against Tyler Robinson in the fatal shooting of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A key preliminary hearing in the murder case against Tyler Robinson is set to begin Monday in Provo, Utah, where prosecutors will present evidence that the 23-year-old fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last September.
Fourth District Judge Tony Graf has scheduled the hearing for five days and has allowed news photographers and a livestream feed inside the courtroom. The judge, however, barred other reporters and members of the public from bringing laptops or phones into the proceedings.
The Utah Supreme Court on Thursday declined to take up Robinson’s last-minute effort to block cameras or postpone the hearing.
Robinson turned himself in after a 33-hour manhunt. He has not yet entered a plea to charges that include aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted of aggravated murder. Graf ruled last month that capital punishment remains a possible outcome in the case.
Kirk, 31, was the co-founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump. He was shot in the neck Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking to a crowd of thousands on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem.
The dispute over courtroom cameras has been a major issue ahead of the hearing.
In a written order this week, Graf allowed news organizations to photograph and livestream the July 6-10 proceedings. At the same time, he restricted other journalists and members of the public from bringing laptops or phones into the courtroom, saying those devices “may disrupt and/or compromise the integrity of the preliminary hearing proceedings.”
Graf made one specific exception related to the Deseret News. Because the newspaper missed the filing deadline for its first-day camera request, it will not be permitted to take photographs on July 6, though it may photograph the July 8 and July 10 sessions.
Robinson’s defense attorneys argued that livestreamed footage could prejudice the jury pool in a death penalty case already surrounded by online commentary and conspiracy theories. Prosecutors, Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk and a coalition of media organizations argued that public access would help counter misinformation.
On Thursday, the Utah Supreme Court declined to intervene, writing that “the petition for permission to appeal from an interlocutory order is denied.” The court also deemed Robinson’s request for a stay moot.
Two additional defense petitions remain pending. One seeks to block hearsay evidence, while another challenges Graf’s refusal to compel Lance Twiggs, a key witness, to appear in person.
Monday’s hearing will be the first extended public presentation of the state’s case against Robinson. Prosecutors must show probable cause that Robinson committed the charged offenses before the case can proceed to trial.
According to filings, prosecutors plan to present ballistics reports, surveillance video from the Utah Valley University campus, phone and social media data, text messages between Robinson and Twiggs, and Kirk’s autopsy report.
Twiggs, Robinson’s former roommate and romantic partner, has been granted limited immunity and is expected to testify through a prerecorded video interview. In that interview, Twiggs says Robinson confessed.
Kirk’s parents and Erika Kirk are expected to attend the Provo hearing, marking their first courtroom appearance in the case.
Both the prosecution and defense have agreed to warn Kirk’s family before graphic images or video of the shooting are shown, allowing them to leave the courtroom if they choose.
If Graf finds probable cause on any charge, Robinson will be bound over for trial and is expected to enter pleas shortly afterward.
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