Tyler Robinson’s Lawyers Seek New Camera Ban Ahead of Trial-Setting Hearing

Attorneys for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, are again asking a Utah judge to keep cameras out of the courtroom, this time ahead of an Oct. 23 hearing where a trial date could be set.

The hearing is not expected to include witness testimony. But in a filing submitted Monday opposing a request from local media to send a camera into the courtroom, Robinson’s lawyers argued that continued coverage of the case risks compounding what they described as an unfair prejudice against their client.

Central to their argument is recent reporting on the cost of Robinson’s defense. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Utah County had paid $1.6 million to Robinson’s legal team as of last month, exhausting a special $1 million earmark the state had set aside for the case. Some experts have estimated the full defense could ultimately cost as much as $10 million, a figure in line with other high-profile capital murder cases that go to trial.

“Only a few weeks ago, the media reported on costs associated with the defense,” Robinson’s lawyers wrote. “Against that backdrop, statements by defense counsel at the upcoming proceeding concerning the time and resources necessary to prepare this case are likely to be examined and disseminated in real time through social media and other media channels and viewed through the lens of cost, rather than in the context of Mr. Robinson’s constitutional rights to the effective assistance of counsel, a fair trial, due process of law, and a reliable penalty determination.”

The defense team argued that further camera coverage “risks reinforcing existing prejudicial perceptions of Mr. Robinson and his defense,” and that broadcasting routine scheduling discussions adds little to the public’s understanding of the case.

“Although the resulting litigation schedule may be newsworthy, there is little additional news value in electronically recording and transmitting the back-and-forth among the Court and counsel concerning scheduling matters,” the attorneys wrote.

This is not the first time Robinson’s lawyers have pressed to keep cameras out of the courtroom. They have previously compared media coverage of the case to a “reality TV show” and argued that cameras distract participants and add pressure on everyone involved in the proceedings. During the five-day preliminary hearing, one of Robinson’s attorneys, Richard Novak, laughed when the presiding judge ruled that a camera request had been filed too late, limiting a pool photographer to days two through five of the hearing.

Despite those objections, Judge Tony Graf Jr. has largely ruled in favor of public access, permitting cameras at most proceedings under the terms of a court decorum order.

Robinson is accused of fatally shooting Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in front of a crowd of roughly 3,000 people. He faces a top charge of aggravated murder, which carries the possibility of the death penalty if he is convicted. Additional charges include felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in front of a child.

Robinson’s lead attorney, Kathy Nester, entered not guilty pleas on his behalf at a brief arraignment in September.