In Tyler Robinson’s first in-person hearing since his September 2025 arrest for assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, the Provo courtroom saw heightened security amid debates over media access and transparency. Shackled but in civilian clothes, the 22-year-old appeared calm and amused, prompting disturbing reactions from x users.
Defense attorneys requested that his parents and brother remain for a closed session on security, but prosecutors objected, citing risks. Judge Tony Graf denied the plea, excluding the family to ensure equal treatment. The case, eligible for the death penalty, faces ongoing battles over cameras and transcripts, balancing fair trial rights with public interest.
Starting off the interaction, Robinson’s defence attourny stated, “Mr. Robinson has some immediate family members who are present, his father, his mother, and his brother. And we would ask the court to permit them to remain in the courtroom during the closed portion of the hearing.”
Countering this argument, the prosecutor butted in. “My only concern with that, your honor, is that we’re going to be talking about court security measures. I don’t know that we’ll have to go into a lot of detail about that, but I do have concerns about those issues being discussed in public,” the lawyer responded.
Providing another request, the Defense attorney fired back, “I think it’s subject to the court’s discretion to decide who is and is not an appropriate member of the public. I think they have a unique relationship with Mr. Robinson and they would certainly abide by any orders the court makes concerning disclosure of what is discussed in closed session, but obviously it’s up to the court.”
Issuing a final statement, the judge presiding over the case stated, “I’m going to rule that they will be excluded as well. It is just given the nature and the sensitivity of it. I believe it is appropriate to treat all parties in the public equally, though I do recognize their relationship with Mr. Robinson.” Watch the clip of the family getting kicked out here:
"*" indicates required fields
Reacting to the trial on social media, one commentator reacted, “Just like everything else, Tyler Robinson’s background scares us from offending the mainstream. He was a leftist who assassinated Charlie Kirk due to what he was told by progressive culture about sexuality, fascism, and conservative hatred.”
Offering another take, one user said, “Charlie Kirk’s murder suspect, Tyler Robinson appears in court physically for the first time. He is seen smirking & laughing. How can you smile after taking a father away from his children? SICK. PURE EVIL 😡” Watch Tyler smirk here:
However, some users spread baseless conspiracy theories about the case. “I’m sorry, but this doesn’t look like a man capable of setting up unevaded on a busy school campus and being able to snipe Charlie Kirk with a perfect shot and then escape,” a social media user speculated.
Yet the vast majority of reasonable conservatives saw the situation differently. A skeptic wrote, “No. It’s not “if.” It’s a slam dunk: Tyler Robinson’s DNA on the trigger… This is the most ironclad assassination case in decades, and he earned the death penalty.”
Featured image from embedded video