New evidence in the Charlie Kirk assassination is set to be made public at a hearing next month, a Utah judge ruled Monday.
Suspect Tyler Robinson’s lawyers sought to bar news cameras from a five-day preliminary hearing set for July, when the prosecution is expected to lay out evidence against the 23-year-old defendant.
District Judge Tony Graf rejected that motion.
The Kirk case has been the subject of prevalent conspiracy theories, and Erika Kirk has sought to keep the proceedings as open as possible.
Prosecutors say Robinson fatally shot the Turning Point USA founder during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10 — then confessed to the murder to his lover via text.
Robinson’s team also claimed prosecutors have illegally sensationalized the case, pushed political agendas and villainized him in the eyes of the public, violating a pre-trial publicity order.
Graf did not find the Provo County District Attorney’s office in contempt of court on Monday, but he said both sides would have the chance to present their arguments on June 12.
Graf also ruled that media would be allowed to film and live stream a much-anticipated July hearing in which the prosecution is expected to present its most damning evidence.
Tyler’s attorneys have repeatedly argued that media access would be tantamount to blasting potential jurors with anti-Robinson propaganda before the trial begins.
Judge Graf argued that most of the evidence in question has already been revealed and discussed in the public arena, and that there are other ways to protect Robinson’s rights.
“Several methods remain available to protect the defendant’s right to a fair trial, including enlarging the veneer of potential jurors, utilizing detailed juror questionnaires, and conducting thorough voir dire,” Graf said.
