A man from Utah, facing charges for the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, appeared in court for the first time, wearing a smirk on his face.

Tyler Robinson, 22, entered the courtroom in Utah, accompanied by his defense attorneys, who are working to further restrict media coverage of this highly publicized criminal trial.

Kirk was tragically shot in front of a large audience during a live debate event held on September 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

This court appearance marked the first occasion Robinson was seen in person, as his previous appearances were conducted via video or audio from jail.

Before the proceedings began, Robinson was observed smiling and engaging in a detailed discussion with his legal representatives.

As he entered the courtroom he smiled at the people sitting in a row reserved for family, where his mother teared up and wiped her eyes with a tissue. 

Robinson’s legal team and the Utah County Sheriff´s Office have asked Judge Tony Graf to ban cameras in the courtroom. 

Shortly after proceedings started, Judge Graf ordered all press and public to leave the room, the defense asked the judge to allow his parents to stay which was denied.  

Tyler Robinson was seen in public for the first time Friday, three months after he was charged with murdering conservative commentator Charlie Kirk

It was the first time Robinson was seen in person after making previous court appearances via video or audio feed from jail

Kirk was fatally shot in front of a crowd of hundreds of people on September 10 while holding a live debate event. He is seen here a few moments before his killing 

Graf has already made allowances to protect Robinson’s presumption of innocence before a trial, agreeing that the case has drawn ‘extraordinary’ public attention.

The judge held a closed hearing on October 24 in which attorneys discussed Robinson’s courtroom attire and security protocols. 

Under a subsequent ruling by the judge, Robinson is allowed to wear street clothes in court during his pretrial hearings but must be restrained for security. 

Graf also prohibited media from filming or photographing his restraints after his attorneys argued images of him shackled and in jail clothing could prejudice jurors.

Michael Judd, an attorney for the media coalition, has urged Graf to let the news organizations weigh in on any future requests for closed hearings or other limitations.

The media presence at Utah hearings is already limited, with judges often designating one photographer and one videographer to document a hearing and share their images with other news organizations. 

Additional journalists can typically attend to listen and take notes, as can members of the public.

Judd wrote in recent filings that an open court ‘safeguards the integrity of the fact-finding process’ while fostering public confidence in judicial proceedings. 

As he entered the courtroom he smiled at the people sitting in a row reserved for family, where his mother teared up and wiped her eyes with a tissue

Kirk is seen here alongside his widow Erika and their two children. His wife has called for full transparency concerning Robinson’s trial 

Robinson first appeared before the court system in September in the week after Kirk’s assassination 

Criminal cases in the U.S. have long been open to the public, which he argued is proof that trials can be conducted fairly without restricting reporters.

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has called for full transparency, saying: ‘We deserve to have cameras in there.’ 

Robinson’s legal team says his pretrial publicity reaches as far as the White House, with Donald Trump announcing soon after Robinson’s arrest: ‘With a high degree of certainty, we have him,’ and ‘I hope he gets the death penalty.’

Robinson’s Attorney Kathy Nester raised concern that digitally altered versions of his initial court photo have spread widely, creating misinformation about the case.

Some altered images show Robinson crying or having an outburst in court, which did not happen.

Robinson first appeared before the court system in September in the week after Kirk’s assassination. 

He appeared disheveled and expressionless as the judge read out the charges against him which include capital murder. 

Authorities say Robinson held a ‘leftist ideology’ and may have been ‘radicalized’ online before he was arrested for killing the MAGA influencer.