Defense request for closed hearing in Tyler Robinson case denied by Utah judge
OAN Staff Addie Davis
4:24 PM – Monday, June 1, 2026
A Utah judge denied a request from Tyler Robinson’s defense to close portions of the preliminary hearing to the public and media.
According to media reports, District Judge Tony Graf issued the ruling on Monday allowing reporters and the general public to attend the preliminary hearing scheduled from July 6th to the 10th.
For that hearing, prosecutors are tasked with providing sufficient evidence to warrant a trial in the case, which has garnered extensive public attention.
The defense reportedly has tried to mitigate media coverage, claiming it sometimes misrepresents their client.
Robinson, 23 years old, is accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31 years old, at a Turning Point USA event at a college campus in Utah last September.
Prosecutors have announced their intention of pursuing the death penalty for Robinson, who is charged with aggravated murder and a slew of other crimes related to the shooting, if he is convicted. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.
In the Monday ruling, Graf said the defense had not shown that Robinson would be denied a fair trial by presenting the evidence publicly, according to the Associated Press.
“The public and the media enjoy a presumptive right to access court proceedings, including preliminary hearings,” Graf said during the ruling, per the outlet.
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