The case involving the late Charlie Kirk has taken another big turn this week.
But after months of delays and dozens upon dozens of wasteful motions filed by the defense, the case is about to finally get started.
Judge Tony Graf ruled on Tuesday that cameras will be allowed in the courtroom for Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing.
Robinson is charged with killing Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA. That first hearing is set to begin on Monday.
Graf agreed with the defense on one of their complaints about electronic media coverage.
He said that the Deseret News in Utah had filed its request too late for July 6 to be considered.
When the outlet asked for the date of July 6, it did so 13 days early instead of 14 days ahead.
They were able to get July 8 and 10 as they asked.
Regarding livestreaming, Graf wrote, “The court finds that substantial public commentary about this case is likely to continue whether or not electronic coverage is allowed. The relevant question is therefore not whether publicity can be eliminated. It is whether the requested coverage, under court-imposed limits, creates a reasonable likelihood of prejudice or sufficiently compelling reasons for exclusion.”
“On this record, controlled livestreaming and still photography may reduce reliance on secondhand or inaccurate descriptions by allowing the public and journalists to observe the same proceedings subject to the court’s decorum order, camera-placement restrictions, evidentiary rulings, and exhibit limitations,” the judge wrote.
“The court does not rely on a generalized preference for electronic access; it finds that the specific benefits of accurate public observation of this preliminary hearing outweigh the incremental prejudice Defendant has identified from the requested coverage itself,” the judge added.
“In sum, the preliminary hearing is likely to generate extensive public discussion about Defendant. Defendant has shown a substantial risk of prejudicial publicity generally, but has not shown on this record a reasonable likelihood that the requested controlled coverage separate—from publicity likely to occur regardless—will prejudice his fair-trial rights,” the judge held.
“Nor has Defendant shown sufficiently compelling reasons under Rule 4-401.01 to exclude the requested coverage, subject to the limitations and continuing supervision described in this order,” the judge added.
The case has taken many turns this year as Robinson’s defense team has filed dozens of motions on a variety of things.
Lance Twiggs, a 22-year-old trans lover and former roommate of Tyler Robinson, was granted limited immunity for statements he provided to prosecutors during an April interview.
Twiggs could become a key witness during a multi-day preliminary hearing scheduled for next month in Robinson’s murder case.
According to court filings, Twiggs met with prosecutors on April 20 and participated in a recorded interview about Robinson.
Portions of that interview could be presented to Utah Judge Tony Graf during the July hearing.
According to court filings submitted Tuesday, prosecutors said they could also introduce messages exchanged between Twiggs and Robinson as evidence during the upcoming proceedings.
The filings state that Twiggs is expected to receive limited use immunity for his recorded statement, meaning the interview itself generally cannot be used against him in future criminal proceedings.
According to prosecutors, Twiggs reiterated during his April 20 interview statements he previously made to investigators following Kirk’s September killing.
Prosecutors said Twiggs told authorities that Robinson admitted to carrying out the shooting, said he concealed the firearm afterward, disposed of clothing connected to the incident and instructed Twiggs not to speak with law enforcement.
Robinson has been charged in the case, and The Post noted that prosecutors have not yet tested the allegations in court.
Prosecutors disclosed the information while opposing a request by Robinson’s defense team to compel Twiggs to testify at the preliminary hearing.
