Judge orders release of transcript of closed hearing for man accused of killing Charlie Kirk

"A Utah judge on Monday ordered the release of transcripts from a closed-door hearing in October over whether the man charged with killing Charlie Kirk must be shackled during court proceedings. State District Judge Tony Graf said the transcript must be posted on the court docket by the end of the day. Attorneys for media outlets including The Associated Press had argued for details of the closed hearing to be made public."

"Defense attorneys for Robinson in early October requested that he be allowed to appear in court in civilian clothes and without restraints, to prevent any bias against him among potential jurors. Days after an Oct. 24 closed door hearing on the matter, Graf ruled that Robinson could appear in civilian clothes but must wear restraints. Utah court rules require defendants who are in custody to be restrained unless otherwise ordered."

"Graf wrote in an Oct. 27 order that restraints for Robinson would protect the safety of court staff and the defendant, by allowing him to be quickly secured if court proceedings were disrupted. But the judge said Monday that public transparency was foundational to the judicial system before ordering details of the closed hearing to be released. The judge ordered limited redactions to remove discussions of security protocols in the closely watched case."

State District Judge Tony Graf ordered transcripts and an audio recording from an October closed-door hearing to be posted on the court docket by day’s end, with limited redactions to omit security protocols. The hearing addressed whether Tyler Robinson, charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of Charlie Kirk, must be restrained during court proceedings. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. Defense attorneys sought permission for Robinson to appear in civilian clothes and without restraints to avoid juror bias; Graf allowed civilian clothing but required restraints, citing staff and defendant safety. Media attorneys argued for public access to preserve courtroom integrity.

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