A Utah judge on Friday denied a request from the defense team representing Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. The ruling allows criminal proceedings to continue despite an ongoing appeal over media coverage of the high-profile case.
"Electronic coverage and pre-trial publicity are things that you consider, but that doesn’t mean that Robinson’s preliminary hearing should be delayed any further." — Judge Tony Graf Jr., Utah Judge
Judge Tony Graf Jr. ruled that Robinson's attorneys, representing the 22-year-old accused, failed to demonstrate sufficient grounds to delay the proceedings while they challenge an earlier decision permitting cameras in the courtroom. Robinson is charged in connection with the September 2025 killing of Kirk at a Turning Point USA event held at Utah Valley University. The judge asserted that existing legal precedent does not support delaying a case based solely on concerns about publicity.
"Electronic coverage and pre-trial publicity are things that you consider, but that doesn’t mean that Robinson’s preliminary hearing should be delayed any further," Graf stated during Friday’s hearing.
Robinson’s attorneys had sought a stay of proceedings, appealing the court’s refusal to prohibit cameras from covering the case. The defense argued that continued media exposure could prejudice Robinson’s right to a fair trial. Judge Graf rejected this argument, finding that the defense had not demonstrated a specific threat of harm or established a realistic likelihood that publicity would prevent a fair judicial process.
This ruling marks another setback for Robinson’s legal team, which has made repeated attempts to delay the preliminary hearing. Utah County prosecutors urged the court to deny the request, arguing that further postponements would unnecessarily delay the case and harm the interests of victims and the public. Deputy Utah County Attorney Christopher Ballard stated that Robinson’s attorneys failed to satisfy any of the legal standards required to obtain a stay.
Under Utah law, parties seeking a stay generally must demonstrate a likelihood of success on appeal, the possibility of irreparable harm, and that delaying proceedings would not undermine the public interest. Ballard emphasized these requirements in court filings, writing, “Defendant must satisfy all three elements. He hasn’t satisfied even one.”
Ballard further argued that much of the evidence expected to be discussed during the preliminary hearing has already become public, and the defense has not shown how additional media coverage would create unfair prejudice. The preliminary hearing, originally scheduled for May, has already been postponed once and is now expected to take place during the week of July 6. During this hearing, prosecutors must establish probable cause that Robinson committed the crimes alleged in the charging documents. If the judge finds sufficient evidence, the case will then proceed toward trial. Robinson has not yet entered a plea in the case.
Prosecutors also highlighted the negative impact of delays on Kirk’s family, including his widow, Erika Kirk. She has invoked Utah’s victims’ rights laws and formally requested a speedy resolution of the case. Meanwhile, attorneys representing several media organizations, including Fox News and Fox News Digital, are reportedly expected to oppose Robinson’s efforts to limit public access to court proceedings, according to the Conservative Brief.
In a separate filing, Robinson’s attorneys have also challenged Utah laws that permit certain hearsay testimony during preliminary hearings, arguing that these provisions violate constitutional protections. The upcoming preliminary hearing next month is a critical juncture for Robinson, with his legal team focused not only on avoiding a guilty verdict but also on the broader implications for his future. The denial of the stay means the focus will now shift to the substance of the preliminary hearing as the judicial process moves forward.
