A Utah judge has ruled that the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk can wear civilian clothing during court proceedings but must remain in restraints for safety reasons.
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect charged in Kirk’s murder, will be permitted to appear before juries in regular clothes rather than prison garb, according to a Monday ruling by Utah Judge Tony Graf.
The defendant, however, will not be freed from shackles during his courtroom appearances.
The decision came after Robinson’s defense attorneys argued that forcing their client to appear in jail clothing could prejudice potential jurors against him.
The legal team emphasized the high-profile nature of the case and the extensive media coverage it has generated.
Judge Graf acknowledged the validity of the defense’s concerns regarding the presumption of innocence.
He determined that allowing Robinson to wear civilian attire would create only minor logistical challenges for the Utah County Sheriff’s Office when weighed against the defendant’s right to a fair trial.
“The case has attracted extraordinary public and media attention,” said Graf, according to the New York Post.
“Images of Mr. Robinson in jail clothing are likely to circulate widely and influence prospective jurors. Given the scale of that publicity, the risk of prejudice is significant.”
The judge further stated his reasoning for the clothing decision.
“Mr. Robinson’s right to the presumption of innocence outweighs the minimal inconvenience of permitting civilian attire and Mr. Robinson shall be dressed as one who is presumed innocent,” Graf added.
Despite granting the clothing request, Graf maintained that Robinson must remain shackled during court appearances.
The judge cited safety concerns for everyone present in the courtroom as the basis for requiring the defendant to stay in chains.
During Monday’s hearing, Graf also heard arguments regarding whether cameras should be banned from the courtroom.
The judge declined to make an immediate ruling on that matter but indicated he would consider a joint request from both the prosecution and defense if they reached an agreement on the issue.
Robinson’s next scheduled court appearance is set for Jan. 16.
A hearing that had been planned for Thursday was canceled after both his defense team and prosecutors requested that the court date be “vacated.”
The defense team’s request mirrors similar efforts made by attorneys representing Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Mangione’s lawyers asked their judge to allow their client to appear without handcuffs or a bulletproof vest during court proceedings.
At Mangione’s most recent court appearance, he wore prison clothing and handcuffs but was not required to wear a bulletproof vest, according to the Post.
Charlie Kirk was killed while speaking at a college event in Utah in September.
The prominent conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder suffered a gunshot wound to the neck during the incident.
Kirk was immediately transported to a hospital following the shooting.
Medical personnel were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The assassination sent shockwaves through conservative circles and the broader political community.
Kirk had built a significant following through his work with Turning Point USA and his advocacy for conservative causes on college campuses across the nation.
President Donald Trump honored Kirk’s memory by posthumously awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The ceremony took place on Oct. 14, a date that would have marked Kirk’s 32nd birthday.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom represents the highest civilian honor in the United States.
