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Charlie Kirk 'killer' makes shocking gesture in court after being denied request by judge
Tyler Robinson, the man accused of gunning down conservative activist Charlie Kirk, smirked during his first in-person court appearance Thursday - moments before his mother was kicked out in tears following a failed request to remain in the room.
Robinson, 22, appeared relaxed as he sat between attorneys in a Provo, Utah courtroom wearing a blue shirt and tie, having been granted permission to ditch his jail-issued jumpsuit. Cameras caught him smiling and leaning in to whisper with his legal team, drawing backlash from supporters of the late Turning Point USA co-founder.
Just feet away, his family - including his father, mother, and brother - were seated behind him in the gallery. But tensions exploded when Judge Tony Graf ordered the room cleared for a private portion of the hearing. After a plea from Robinson’s legal team to allow his family to stay was denied, his mother was seen sobbing in the hallway, per Reuters.
Judge clamped down on cameras as media battle rages
Judge Graf, noting the case had drawn “extraordinary” public attention, took steps to protect Robinson’s presumption of innocence by limiting camera access. While he allowed TV crews to remain, he banned any images showing Robinson’s shackles and ordered cameras moved to the back of the courtroom after defense attorneys said earlier footage had shown inappropriate angles and caught private moments between lawyers.
Tyler Robinson in his first in-person court appearance Thursday. Credit: Pool / Getty
Robinson’s team and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office both supported restrictions, arguing that extensive media coverage could impact jury selection and raise security issues. Media access in Utah courtrooms is already tightly controlled, typically allowing only a single videographer and photographer to capture proceedings and share with other outlets.
On the other side, Erika Kirk - the widow of Charlie Kirk - has pushed for full transparency. She believes the country has a right to witness the trial of the man accused of murdering her husband during a public event at Utah Valley University.
Accused shooter may face firing squad if convicted
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious injury, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child. He has not yet entered a plea but could face the death penalty by firing squad under Utah law if convicted, ABC News reports.
Investigators allege Robinson opened fire on Kirk during a speaking event on September 10, hitting the 31-year-old conservative figure in the neck in front of a packed crowd of students. Authorities say Robinson was arrested 33 hours later after his father recognized him in circulated images and turned him in.
Charlie Kirk was killed at a university event. Credit: Joe Raedle / Getty
Police later recovered bullet casings at the scene engraved with disturbing messages referencing video game culture and antifascist slogans, including “Hey fascist! Catch!” and “Bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao.” Officials also cited text messages in which Robinson allegedly admitted the killing and detailed where the murder weapon had been hidden.
The judge’s effort to prevent further leaks comes after digitally manipulated images falsely portraying Robinson crying in court or having emotional outbursts went viral online. In reality, he remained calm and even jovial during the hearing, a detail that has only intensified scrutiny around the proceedings.