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A Utah judge on Monday ordered the release of a transcript from a closed-door hearing held in October that addressed whether the man charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk should be shackled during court proceedings.
State District Judge Tony Graf said public transparency is “foundational” to the judicial system before directing the release of details from the Oct. 24 hearing, ABC News reported.
Attorneys for multiple media outlets, including The Associated Press, argued the transcript should be public because the hearing marked the first time defense lawyers raised the possibility of banning cameras from the courtroom.
Prosecutors have charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem.
They have said they intend to seek the death penalty.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea.
In the 97-page transcript released later Monday, Robinson’s attorneys argued that images of him in shackles and jail clothing could prejudice potential jurors.
Defense attorney Richard Novak said limiting cameras would be easy to enforce and could help prevent visual bias.
“We’re not litigating this case in the press,” Novak said during the Oct. 24 hearing.
The transcript included limited redactions to remove discussions of security protocols in the case.
Graf also ordered the release of an audio recording of the hearing with similar redactions.
Robinson did not appear in court on Monday and participated by audio from the Utah County Jail.
Graf has not ruled on the request to ban cameras but has imposed other restrictions.
Days after the closed hearing, the judge ruled that Robinson may wear civilian clothing during pretrial hearings but must remain restrained to protect court staff and the defendant.
Utah court rules require defendants in custody to be restrained or supervised unless otherwise ordered.
Graf also prohibited media outlets from publishing photos, videos, or live broadcasts that show Robinson’s restraints.
Earlier this month, Graf briefly halted a media livestream after defense attorneys said the broadcast showed Robinson’s shackles.
The judge warned that future broadcasts could be terminated if violations continue.
Attorneys representing the media argued in court filings that open proceedings protect the integrity of the judicial process and build public trust.
They also said criminal trials in the United States have long been open to the public without undermining fairness.
In a separate ruling Monday, Graf denied a request by media attorneys to formally intervene in the case.
He said members of the press do not need to be parties to access court records.
However, Graf ordered that media outlets be notified of future requests to close hearings or restrict access to filings.
Prosecutors are expected to present their case at a preliminary hearing scheduled to begin May 18.
Defense lawyers are requesting that a Utah judge remove the Utah County Attorney’s Office as a whole from the case, claiming that prosecutors have a significant conflict of interest that is directly related to the fatal shooting.
Robinson’s lawyers claim in a court document that Fox News was able to obtain that senior members of the prosecutor’s office had “personal and familial connections to the crime scene,” neglected to step aside, and let emotion affect the decision to seek the death penalty.
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the shooting that killed Kirk on September 10, 2025, during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, where approximately 3,000 people were present.
The motion states that a close relative of a senior supervisory prosecutor in the Utah County Attorney’s Office was present at the event at the time of the shooting. According to defense lawyers, the family member was about 85 feet away from Kirk when he was shot and fled the scene in fear, leaving behind a backpack that was later captured on camera at the crime scene.
