{"id":2609128,"date":"2026-06-01T13:58:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T17:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-keeps-tyler-robinson-hearings-public\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T14:01:36","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T18:01:36","slug":"judge-keeps-tyler-robinson-hearings-public","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-keeps-tyler-robinson-hearings-public\/","title":{"rendered":"Judge keeps Tyler Robinson hearings public"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjudge-keeps-tyler-robinson-hearings-public%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2609128&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Utah judge denied accused assassin Tyler Robinson\u2019s bid to close parts of his upcoming preliminary hearing and keep related proceedings away from the public and media. In a virtual hearing,District Judge Tony Graf ruled that Robinson hadn\u2019t shown a realistic likelihood that openness would prejudice his right to a fair trial,noting that less restrictive options-such as expanded juror questionnaires and more extensive jury selection questioning-are available. The judge also clarified that exhibits presented at the preliminary hearing would be protected from inspection or copying unless thay are published as part of the court record.<\/p>\n<p>Separately, graf scheduled a June 12 evidentiary hearing to determine whether prosecutors violated a pretrial publicity order by speaking to media outlets, including claims involving Jeff Gray and Chris Ballard and commentary to outlets such as TMZ, USA Today, Fox News, and PolitiFact. Graf emphasized that ordering the hearing is not a finding that prosecutors are in contempt or that a violation occurred.<\/p>\n<p>Robinson,23,<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >faces capital murder charges<\/a> in the Sept. 10, 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The rulings come while Robinson\u2019s attorneys continue efforts to pause the case and seek review from the Utah Supreme Court,arguing that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nbc-reporter-stunned-by-number-of-illegal-border-crossings-crowds-have-never-been-this-large-during-my-reporting\/\" title=\"NBC reporter shocked by surge in illegal b... crossings: &quot;Largest crowds I&#039;ve ever seen in my reporting.\">increased media coverage<\/a> could affect his ability to get a fair trial.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/utah\/\">Utah<\/a> judge on Monday denied accused <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/charlie-kirk\/\">Charlie Kirk<\/a> assassin Tyler Robinson\u2019s request to close portions of a preliminary hearing to the public.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a virtual hearing, Utah District Judge Tony Graf issued two rulings stemming from arguments heard last month in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/maryland-senate-introduces-bill-to-block-minors-from-being-charged-as-adults\/\" title=\"Maryland Senate Introduces Bill to Block Minors From Being Charged as Adults\">high-profile murder case<\/a>, denying the defendant\u2019s efforts to keep further proceedings away from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/media\/\">media<\/a> coverage, while setting up a separate hearing to determine whether prosecutors violated a pretrial publicity order through comments they made to media outlets.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4588221\/former-california-mayor-pleads-guilty-chinese-agent\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Former California mayor pleads guilty to acting as Chinese agent<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4586991\/fraud-scandal-most-underreported-story-joe-concha\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Fraud scandal most \u2018underreported\u2019 story: Joe Concha<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4586378\/doj-iraq-iran-national-charged-attempting-terrorist-attacks\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ charges dual Iraq-Iran national accused of attempting 20 terrorist attacks<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fourth District Court Judge Tony Graf speaks during a waiver hearing for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, in Utah County Court in Provo, Utah, Sept. 29, 2025. (Laura Seitz\/The Deseret News via AP, Pool, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Monday\u2019s hearing resolved two disputes ahead of Robinson\u2019s July 6 to 10 preliminary hearing, where prosecutors are expected to present evidence supporting their effort to bring the case to trial. It also set up a June 12 evidentiary hearing focused on Robinson\u2019s claims that prosecutors improperly discussed the case publicly.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graf denied Robinson\u2019s request to close portions of the July hearing and seal related proceedings from public view. However, the judge noted that the parties had already reached an agreement that neither the public nor the media would be permitted to inspect or copy exhibits introduced during the preliminary hearing unless those exhibits were published in court as part of the proceedings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Robinson\u2019s attorneys had argued that evidence presented during the preliminary hearing could receive widespread media coverage and possibly prejudice future jurors before trial.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe public and the media enjoy a presumptive right to access court proceedings, including preliminary hearings,\u201d Graf said from the bench.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The judge found that Robinson failed to demonstrate that keeping the hearing open would create \u201ca realistic likelihood of prejudice\u201d to his right to a fair trial.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graf said the defense had raised generalized concerns about hearsay evidence and expert reports without identifying specific evidence that would justify closing the courtroom. He also noted that much of the evidence prosecutors intend to present has already been disclosed through charging documents and probable cause filings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The judge further concluded that less restrictive alternatives remain available, including expanded juror questionnaires, larger jury pools, and extensive questioning of prospective jurors during jury selection.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a separate ruling, Graf granted Robinson\u2019s request for a hearing examining whether members of the Utah County Attorney\u2019s Office violated the court\u2019s pretrial publicity order through comments made to media outlets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Robinson\u2019s attorneys alleged that Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray and Deputy Utah County Attorney Chris Ballard improperly discussed the case with organizations including <em>TMZ<\/em>, <em>USA Today<\/em>, Fox News, and <em>PolitiFact<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graf stressed that his ruling does not mean prosecutors violated the order.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe issuance of this order reflects a determination that defendant has made a sufficient preliminary showing under Utah law to warrant further proceedings and does not constitute a finding of contempt,\u201d the judge said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan\/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, Pool)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Robinson, 23, is charged with capital murder in the Sept. 10, 2025, killing of Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/turning-point-usa\/\">Turning Point USA<\/a>, at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The June 12 hearing will focus on whether prosecutors knew the requirements of the publicity order, had the ability to comply with it, and intentionally violated it through statements to the media. Each side will have 90 minutes to present evidence before Graf takes the matter under advisement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4589239\/watch-live-judge-decides-tyler-robinson-hearing-will-be-public\/\">WATCH LIVE: JUDGE DENIES TYLER ROBINSON\u2019S REQUEST TO KEEP HEARING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rulings came as Robinson\u2019s attorneys continue a separate effort to halt proceedings while seeking review from the Utah Supreme Court. Last week, the defense renewed its request to stay the case, including the July preliminary hearing, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/d-c-appeals-court-upholds-trumps-trans-military-prohibition\/\" title=\"D.C. Appeals ... Upholds Trump&#039;s &#039;Trans&#039; Military Prohibition\">pending appellate review<\/a> of Graf\u2019s May 8 decision <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4561201\/judge-allows-cameras-in-court-tyler-robinson-murder-trial\/\">allowing cameras in the courtroom<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Robinson\u2019s lawyers have argued that expanded media coverage could undermine his ability to receive a fair trial. Graf previously rejected the defense\u2019s request for a blanket camera ban, prompting Robinson to seek review from the state\u2019s highest court. As of Monday, no stay had been granted, leaving the July preliminary hearing on track.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge Tony Graf denied Tyler Robinson\u2019s request to close parts of a preliminary hearing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2609129,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Feat.Restraint1.021126.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4733,80625,80627,69807,80626],"class_list":["post-2609128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-court","tag-family-court-2","tag-judicial-decisions-2","tag-legal-news-2","tag-public-hearings"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Feat.Restraint1.021126.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2609128"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2609132,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2609128\/revisions\/2609132"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2609129"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2609128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2609128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2609128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}