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A forensic psychologist has broken down the moment Judge Tony Graf was shown previously unseen footage of Charlie Kirk's death during Tyler Robinson's preliminary hearing.
He says the judge's body language reveals far more than most viewers realized.
Dr G, a forensic psychologist and body language expert who has previously analysed Robinson's own courtroom reactions, published a detailed video breakdown of the judge's behaviour while watching graphic evidence from the bench.
What he found was a man trying to remain composed while his body told a very different story.
On the first day of Robinson's five-day preliminary hearing at Provo's Fourth District Court, prosecutors submitted three videos of Kirk being shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
One was filmed from directly behind Kirk at close range.
Judge Graf agreed with both prosecution and defence that the footage was too graphic to be shown to the full courtroom or on the public livestream.
It was played only on his monitor at the bench and on shielded screens at the attorneys' desks.
The audio, including a loud crack followed by screaming, could be heard throughout the courtroom.
Kirk's widow Erika and his parents Robert and Kathryn voluntarily left the room before the footage was played.
Robinson's own monitor appeared to be turned off.
Donald Trump Jr., who attended the hearing alongside far-right influencer Jack Posobiec, remained in the gallery.
Graf was the only person in the courtroom watching the full footage, and the camera was on him the entire time.
Dr G's analysis focuses on a sequence lasting roughly three and a half minutes during which the judge watches the most graphic portion of the evidence.
The first thing he picks up on is the judge's initial physical reaction.
As the critical moment in the footage arrives, Graf's body shifts noticeably.
He moves away from the screen. Not dramatically, but enough that Dr G describes it as an involuntary distancing response.
The body's way of creating space between itself and something it perceives as threatening.
Within seconds, the judge touches his face.
Dr G flags this as a classic self-soothing behaviour, a subconscious attempt to regulate an emotional response.
Graf also adjusts his position in his chair, shifting his weight in what Dr G identifies as a startle response. Brief and controlled, but there.
As the footage continues, Graf leans back.
Dr G reads this as a continuation of the distancing behaviour.
The judge is physically pulling himself further from the source of distress without standing up or looking away.
At the same time, several secondary indicators appear.
The judge's blink rate picks up, which is a well-documented physiological response to stress. His breathing pattern appears to change.
There is visible tension across his face, particularly around the jaw and forehead, which Dr G says is consistent with someone suppressing a strong emotional reaction in a professional setting.
None of it would jump out to someone casually watching the courtroom feed.
These are subtle, controlled movements that happen within a matter of seconds.
But taken together, Dr G says they paint a clear picture.
Dr G's overall reading is that Judge Graf experienced a serious emotional reaction to the footage while still maintaining professional composure.
He did not break character. He did not say anything. He did not look away.
But his body responded in ways that suggest what he saw on that screen was deeply disturbing, even for someone whose job involves reviewing graphic evidence on a regular basis.
When the footage ended, Graf paused, gathered himself, and calmly stated: "And that concludes state's Exhibit 8."
That gap between the visible physical reaction and the measured verbal response is what Dr G describes as the most telling detail of the entire hearing.
A judge processing something profoundly distressing and choosing, in real time, to hold the room together.
Robinson, 23, from St George, Utah, is charged with the aggravated murder of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump.
Kirk was shot in the neck by a single bullet while addressing students at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
He was rushed to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
Robinson turned himself in at a sheriff's office in southwest Utah the following day, reportedly driven there by his father.
His mugshot was released shortly after.
Prosecutors allege Robinson planned the attack, tracked Kirk's movements on campus using stairwells and rooftop positions, and confessed to the killing in text messages sent to his roommate and partner Lance Twiggs.
One message reportedly read: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it."
Investigators recovered a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel near the scene.
Shell casings found at the site were engraved with disturbing messages including internet memes, anti-fascist slogans, and the phrase "Hey fascist! Catch!"
Robinson faces aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offence in the presence of a child.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Robinson's own courtroom demeanor has drawn significant attention throughout the case.
During his first in-person appearance in December, he was seen smirking and whispering with his legal team.
He was granted permission to wear civilian clothing rather than a jail-issued jumpsuit, mirroring rulings in other high-profile cases including those of Bryan Kohberger and Luigi Mangione.
During this week's preliminary hearing, the Daily Mail reported that Robinson was seen laughing at one point.
His monitor appeared to be switched off while the shooting footage was played.
The contrast between Robinson's apparent calm and the judge's visible distress while watching the same evidence has not gone unnoticed.
The five-day preliminary hearing is expected to conclude on Friday.
Judge Graf must then decide whether there is sufficient probable cause for the case to proceed to a full trial.
The bar at this stage is relatively low. Prosecutors need only show a reasonable belief that the charges are supported by evidence, not prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Erika Kirk, who attended the hearing dressed in black alongside Kirk's parents, has pushed for full public transparency in the proceedings.
Robinson's defence team has argued the opposite, citing the risk of prejudicing potential jurors.
If Graf finds probable cause, Robinson could enter a plea during an arraignment that may take place the same day.
For now, it is the judge's reaction, not the defendant's, that has become the defining image of the hearing.
A forensic psychologist saw it in the blink rate, the face touching, the chair shifting, and the three seconds of silence before Graf spoke.
Most people watching the livestream missed it entirely.
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A judge overseeing the preliminary hearing of Tyler Robinson, the man accused of murdering Charlie Kirk, appeared visibly disturbed after unseen footage of the fatal shooting was played in court.
The 31-year-old was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at a Turning Point USA rally at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
Robinson, 23, was arrested days later and now faces seven criminal charges, including aggravated murder and obstruction of justice. He has not yet entered a plea.
Utah State District Judge Tony Graf was seen wincing as the courtroom in Provo sat in silence while prosecutors presented video of the shooting that claimed the life of the right-wing activist.
The graphic footage was shown during Robinson's five-day preliminary hearing, where prosecutors are attempting to convince Graf that there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
Kirk's widow, Erika, attended the hearing dressed in black alongside his parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk.
According to reports, the 37-year-old struggled to hold back tears throughout the proceedings.
As prosecutors began recounting the events surrounding her husband's death, she became overwhelmed with emotion and left the courtroom while a police officer described how Kirk was shot.
She was also seen wiping away tears with a handkerchief and leaning on Kathryn Kirk's shoulder for support as prosecutors outlined their case.
Donald Trump Jr. also attended the hearing, while The Associated Press reported that Robinson's parents were seated a few rows behind the Kirk family.
The Daily Mail also reported that Robinson was seen laughing at one point during the proceedings.
If Judge Graf finds probable cause, Robinson could enter a plea during an arraignment that may take place the same day before the case proceeds to trial.
Prosecutors are expected to present extensive evidence, including three graphic exhibits from the shooting.
They also plan to introduce footage they allege shows Robinson at Utah Valley University before and after Kirk was shot, DNA evidence from the rifle police say was used in the killing, a recorded statement from Robinson's roommate, and a handwritten note reading: "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it."
Prosecutors have further alleged that the suspect confessed to the shooting in messages exchanged with his partner, Lance Twiggs. Those messages are also expected to be introduced as evidence.
Meanwhile, defense attorneys are expected to point to ballistics testing that proved inconclusive in matching a bullet fragment recovered from Kirk's body to the alleged murder weapon.
If convicted, Robinson could face the death penalty, which prosecutors are seeking.
Before the hearing, the conservative activist's family released a joint statement reflecting on the pain of reliving his death through the court proceedings.
"Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father," they said. "Every court proceeding serves as a painful reminder of his death and the loss that has irrevocably impacted our lives and the lives of his children."
"We remain deeply grateful for the support, prayers, and kindness we have received. This outpouring has sustained us during the darkest days of our lives. Out of respect for the judicial process, we will not be commenting further at this time," they added.
A body language expert has analyzed footage of Tyler Robinson as he appeared in court and has pointed out some interesting details.
Robinson, 22, faces severe charges, including aggravated murder, which could result in the death penalty if he is convicted.
The incident occurred on the campus of Utah Valley University during a Turning Point event last Wednesday, where Charlie Kirk, a conservative media figure, was shot and killed.
The 22-year-old made his first court appearance yesterday (September 16), and his actions have been analyzed.
The popular YouTube channel Dr. G Explains took a look at the footage, and while Robinson appeared to stay incredibly still throughout the interview, there were moments of interest.
When Kirk's death was mentioned, Robinson appeared to slightly nod his head, which Dr. G indicated had a bigger meaning behind it.
The body language expert explained that he believes there is some "pride" from Robinson regarding the death of Kirk.
When the death penalty was mentioned, Robinson appeared to nod again and swallow.
Dr. G explains that this could be an indication of anxiety, which he dubbed as "not surprising" given the charges against him.
Robinson, he noted, was doing his best to suppress any indications that he was anxious about the charges and potential punishment.
Robinson’s arrest has led to a series of grave charges, underscoring the severity of the crime.
Utah County attorney Jeff Gray called Kirk’s murder an “American tragedy” and emphasized his responsibility to bring justice not only to the victims but also to the broader community affected by this senseless violence.
The charges against Robinson include:
Gray also emphasized his independent decision to pursue the death penalty in this case, stating that he was "charged with bringing justice for Charlie Kirk."
At the moment, Robinson is being held without bail in a Utah County jail as he faces these serious charges.
A body language expert has analysed footage of Tyler Robinson in court and has made an interesting observation about his forehead.
Robinson, the man who stands accused of killing Charlie Kirk, made his first in-person court appearance yesterday (December 11).
Although Robinson did not speak, his every move was watched closely.
Robinson appeared in court wearing formal attire for a hearing, where cameras captured his facial expressions.
Scott Rouse, a seasoned interrogator and body language analyst who advises law enforcement and legal teams, was asked by 2News to weigh in on what he saw.
Rouse said one thing stood out right away - Robinson didn’t seem all that bothered.
He said Robinson’s apparent lack of concern stood out to him.
The 22-year-old, accused of fatally shooting Kirk at Utah Valley University, even cracked a few small smiles while chatting with his attorneys — a reaction Rouse found questionable.
"That's the only thing I looked and went, 'He shouldn't be doing that,’” Rouse said.
While it’s not uncommon for defense teams to encourage clients to remain calm or composed, Rouse said the courtroom is not the place for levity when facing a murder charge.
"I don't know what could be found funny during that situation,” he said. “It would be a little tough for me to think something up, but apparently they're trying to alleviate some of the stress for him."
Tyler Robinson in his first in-person court appearance Thursday. Credit: Pool / Getty
Another detail Rouse pointed out was the dynamic between Robinson and his legal team — or rather, the lack of one.
"Their body language isn't the type where you want to get close to them, or you're touching, they're not leaning the way they should lean if they knew him really well,” he said. "I don't see any connection with them."
That disconnect could suggest Robinson and his lawyers haven’t had much time to build rapport, or that they’re simply not meshing — something, according to Rouse, that shows up in physical cues more than people realize.
Robinson's body language has been analyzed. Credit: Pool / Getty
Despite the high stakes, Robinson didn’t exhibit what Rouse calls the “grief muscle” — a telltale sign of deep concern that usually appears right above the bridge of the nose and on the forehead.
"These two muscles pull together, and this muscle pulls down,” Rouse explained, referencing the area between the eyebrows. "I don't see any of that. I don't see any grief muscle that lets us know he's really, really worried about anything, and no concern."
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 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.
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.
A body language expert has broken down the reaction of Tyler James Robinson — the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk — as he appeared in court to hear that prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Robinson appeared virtually in court on Tuesday for the first time after being arrested on suspicion of Kirk's murder on September 10.
In a detailed video analysis, Dr. John Paul Garrison noted Robinson’s demeanor as Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray confirmed the filing of a notice of intent to pursue the death penalty.
Watching Robinson’s reaction, Dr. Garrison stated: “So you saw him nod after they talked about the death penalty. You didn't see fear. You didn't see anxiety.
"You didn't see him try to pacify himself. This is someone who I suspect is going to fight. This is someone who is going to be as difficult as humanly possible if he's capable of being difficult.”
The breakdown highlighted subtle physical cues throughout the proceedings, from slow blinks and swallows to flashes of contempt.
“So now we're getting a little bit of anxiety. I want you to watch the slow blink and then the swallow afterward when they're talking about his charges… So trying to keep a brave face but is ultimately very anxious,” Dr. Garrison said, pointing to Robinson’s behavior as the judge read the charges.
The body language expert also noted what he described as arrogance in Robinson’s nodding: “I also want you to keep in mind that the nods that he's doing I think those are also a way to maintain control to say that he's the one that is in control here… He nods as though yes I'm giving you permission for that. So to me there is a certain level of arrogance that's coming through here.”
When prosecutors read the aggravated murder charge, he said a “subtle” smirk appeared.
“Now we just got a flash of contempt. It's very hard to see because I know the quality of this is pretty limited, but if you watch on the left side of the screen… watch that corner of his mouth. It very subtly goes up when they're reading this charge… It's subtle, but that's a look of contempt.”
Robinson also appeared to nod as prosecutors said he “knowingly caused the death of Charlie Kirk,” which Dr. Garrison linked to possible pride.
Later, as charges involving Robinson’s roommate were read aloud, his demeanor shifted.
“This is an area where I think we're getting more actual emotion. We're seeing his mouth move more. You're seeing a bigger swallow. You're seeing his chin move… When it comes to his roommate, I think this is going to be the biggest pain point for Tyler Robinson,” Dr. Garrison explained, noting heavy swallows, pursed lips, and sideways jaw movements that could indicate sadness.
He summarized Robinson’s overall appearance in court: “What we saw was a little bit of anxiety here and there, but overall an attempt to suppress as much emotion as possible, to move as little as humanly possible. We've seen this before. Chad Del, Brian Cobberger, there are other people that have behaved very similarly in court.
“What we didn't see was any sort of guilt, any sort of real emotional expression that made him appear upset in any way, shape, or form… What I think this implies is that if he in fact committed this act, if he's found guilty and he in fact did do this, this is the kind of person who would have done it again.”
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