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Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old suspect in the shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University last month, will not be appearing in person at a Provo courthouse as initially planned for later this week.
Instead, Robinson made a virtual court appearance on Monday, speaking briefly from off-camera. During this session, the judge addressed a motion concerning Robinson’s attire for future court appearances.
Judge Tony Graf approved Robinson’s request to wear civilian clothing during upcoming court sessions but refused his request to be unrestrained. The judge did not decide on the prosecution’s motion to conduct all non-evidentiary hearings remotely. He also mentioned that both parties could file a motion to restrict news cameras in the courtroom.
The originally scheduled hearing on October 30 has been postponed to allow attorneys more time for discovery and to prepare their motions.
A screenshot from the court stream depicted a placeholder reading “Utah County Jail” in place of Robinson’s face. Robinson, who has attended recent public hearings remotely and without showing his face, stands accused of attempting to assassinate Charlie Kirk.
Robinson’s lawyers will have to provide jail officials with street clothing 72 hours prior to any upcoming hearings, the judge said.
“The court finds that Mr. Robinson’s right to the presumption of innocence outweighs the minimal inconvenience of permitting civilian attire,” Graf said during the 20-minute hearing. However, he said, due to safety concerns and the seriousness of the charges against him, the defendant should still wear minimal restraints in court.
Robinson spoke only briefly during the appearance, in which he appeared remotely from jail and did not show his face.
This split image shows suspected assassin Tyler James Robinson, left, and victim Charlie Kirk, a founder of Turning Point USA, on the right. (Gov. Spencer Cox’s office; AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
When the judge asked if he could hear the proceedings, Robinson replied, “Yes, I can.”
In Utah, preliminary hearings can be delayed for months in cases involving serious felonies, sometimes up to a year, Skye Lazaro, a Salt Lake City-based defense attorney, told Fox News Digital earlier this month.
The hearing gives the defense a chance to cross-examine witnesses and force prosecutors to show evidence in court that establishes probable cause to bring charges in the alleged crime.
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an event in Utah. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via Reuters)
Robinson faces a top charge of aggravated murder, which carries the potential death penalty.
He is accused of climbing onto a campus rooftop with his grandfather’s Mauser .30-06 and shooting Kirk once in the neck.
Tyler Robinson appears virtually in Utah court on Sept. 16, 2025, to face charges in the assassination of Charlie Kirk. (Utah State Courts)
Authorities have previously alleged that they found the suspected murder weapon with his DNA on it and incriminating text messages in which he allegedly admitted to the crime to friends and family.
They also have video from the campus security system that allegedly shows him coming and going before and after the slaying. Additional evidence against him is expected to emerge at the preliminary hearing, once it is held.
Robinson is due back in court on Jan. 16, 2026, and again on Jan. 30. Both hearings are scheduled for 1 p.m. MT.