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A decision by a Utah judge to conduct off-camera hearings for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, has sparked concern among legal experts who caution that this approach could undermine transparency in what is one of the state’s most high-profile cases.
Robinson, 22, faces charges for allegedly shooting the 31-year-old Kirk, a father of two, during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University last month. Since his initial court appearance following his arrest, Robinson has not been seen in public.
“The absence of public visibility in courtroom proceedings raises significant transparency issues,” stated Randolph Rice, a legal analyst and attorney based in Maryland. “The integrity of our justice system relies on open proceedings, and it’s crucial for the public to verify that the individual responding in court is indeed the one accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk.”
Robinson, identified as the suspect in the fatal shooting of Kirk, was last seen during a video appearance at his initial hearing on September 16. The incident occurred on September 10, 2025, while Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University. Photos from the event show Kirk shortly before the tragic event. (Courtesy of Utah State Courts/Handout, Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via Reuters.)
Despite the likelihood that jail officials were present with Robinson during the remote hearing, their presence is not documented in the court records. This lack of documentation has led to speculation among observers, with some questioning if the voice heard during the proceeding was truly Robinson’s.
Robinson’s second off-camera public hearing came days before he would have been due in court in person. The court announced Monday that that hearing would be postponed until January to allow lawyers on both sides more time for discovery and other preparations.
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk pictured shortly before he was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via Reuters)
Judge Tony Graf, who was appointed to the bench earlier this year, has been threading a fine needle as he balances interests of the public and the parties. He also told lawyers on both sides that they should file new briefs as part of their requests to limit or remove news cameras from future proceedings.
“When judges hide too much from the public, they risk losing the public’s trust,” Rice said. “Justice has to be seen to be believed. It could appear that the court is hiding something to either protect itself, the state or the defendant.”
A still image from the court stream shows a slate reading “Utah County Jail” where Tyler Robinson’s face would have appeared. The 22-year-old is accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and has attended his two latest public hearings remotely and without showing his face. (Utah 4th Judicial District Court)
Separately, he granted a motion that will allow Robinson to wear civilian clothes at all future court appearances but denied a motion to have him appear without restraints. He also said he would amend a court decorum order and block news photographers from taking pictures of those restraints or from showing Robinson entering or exiting the courtroom.
“There seems to be an inordinate concern with his public perception,” said Joshua Ritter, a Los Angeles-based criminal defense attorney and Fox News contributor. “The idea that he is not shown in custody, that he will be dressed up for court and no photos of his restraints. Great lengths [are] being made to make sure his presumption of innocence is maintained for the general public.”
Booking photos for Tyler Robinson, 22, the suspect in the Utah assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. (Utah Gov. Spencer Cox)
Jail officials previously told Fox News Digital that Robinson’s first no-video hearing came at the request of the defense, in part because the hearing was expected to be short.
“The judge is being extremely cautious to avoid an appeal for unfairness later by the defendant,” Rice said. “But while doing that, he is sacrificing transparency and that is a dangerous trade-off in a case this public.”
At the hearing Monday, Graf also mentioned that prosecutors have requested to hold all future non-evidentiary hearings virtually. He did not rule on that motion.
“Judges certainly have discretion in shielding what the public sees in the courtroom, but this raises legitimate questions about transparency, particularly in such a high-profile case,” Rice said.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea. His expected preliminary hearing, in which the defense would challenge the evidence used to arrest him and cross-examine the state’s witnesses, has been postponed until January at the earliest.
It could be pushed back further, experts say, and it’s unclear when the public will get another glimpse at the accused assassin.
“Keeping a defendant completely off camera for too long in a high-profile case like this only fans the flames of conspiracy,” Rice said. “Conspiracies are born out of a lack of information, allowing the public to draw their own conclusions, no matter how far-fetched or unfounded.”