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Tyler Robinson update: Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer asks court to let him wear civilian clothes during trial
Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Charlie Kirk, has asked a Utah judge to let him wear civilian clothes in court, arguing prison garb could bias jurors.
October 14 has officially been designated as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk, following a House resolution honoring the late Turning Point USA founder on what would have been his 32nd birthday. But as tributes poured in across the country, the man accused of killing him - Tyler Robinson - made headlines again for a very different reason.
Robinson, 22, is accused of assassinating the conservative commentator during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10. Robinson was arrested less than 48 hours later following an FBI-led manhunt. Since then, he has been held in custody, facing charges of aggravated murder and other related offenses.
Tyler Robinson court update
Now, in a new motion filed Thursday, October 9, Robinson’s attorneys are asking a Utah judge to let him wear civilian clothing instead of prison attire during his next court appearance. They argued that appearing in shackles and a jumpsuit could unfairly sway jurors and affect Robinson’s right to a fair trial.
“With each development in the case generating thousands of articles and comments online, the likelihood of potential jurors seeing and drawing conclusions regarding Mr. Robinson’s guilt and or deserved punishment will only increase,” the 21-page filing states, per the New York Post.
Robinson's legal team cites a convicted killer
The motion, submitted to District Judge Tony Graf, cites the case of Bryan Kohberger, the convicted Idaho killer, as precedent. Kohberger had been granted permission to wear a suit and appear unrestrained during pretrial hearings in his own high-profile death penalty case.
Also read: National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk: Is October 14 a holiday? All you need to know
Robinson’s lawyers claim that allowing the same privilege is a “minor inconvenience” for the court compared to the risk of prejudicing jurors in what they call a “case of worldwide scrutiny.”
During a virtual hearing last month, Robinson appeared in a “suicide smock,” sparking widespread media attention. His defense team argues that repeated images of him in such attire could reinforce the perception of guilt before the trial even begins.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea, but prosecutors confirmed he could face the death penalty under Utah law - a punishment that President Donald Trump, a close friend of Kirk’s, has publicly supported. Robinson’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 30 in Utah’s 4th District Court.
FAQs:
Who is Tyler Robinson?
Tyler Robinson is the 22-year-old accused of assassinating conservative commentator Charlie Kirk during a Utah event in September.
What did his lawyers request from the court?
They asked the judge to allow Robinson to wear civilian clothes during hearings instead of shackles or prison attire.
Why are they making this request?
His defense argues that seeing him in jail clothing could prejudice jurors and threaten his right to a fair trial.
When is Tyler Robinson’s next court hearing?
His next court appearance is scheduled for October 30 in Utah’s 4th District Court.
