A tense hearing in the Tyler Robinson case erupted into controversy Thursday after the judge ordered the defendant’s parents and brother to leave the courtroom during a closed session, rejecting a plea from Robinson’s attorney to allow them to stay.

The move came during Robinson’s first in-person appearance since being charged with assassinating activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University earlier this year, a case that has captured national attention and is moving toward a potential death penalty trial.

Robinson entered the Provo, Utah, courtroom wearing civilian clothing but remained fully shackled. He appeared calm and at times even amused as cameras recorded his expressions. Members of his family were seated in the gallery, as they have been throughout the early stages of the case. But as attorneys prepared to move into a restricted portion of the hearing, Robinson’s lawyer asked the judge to make an exception.

“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,” the defense stated.

Prosecutors immediately objected. “My only concern with that, your honor, is that we’re going to be talking about court security measures,” the state said. “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 judge pressed the defense for legal authority that would permit an exception, but Robinson’s attorney acknowledged the decision rested entirely with the court. “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,” the defense responded.

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Moments later, the judge delivered the ruling that sent Robinson’s family out of the courtroom. “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.”

Both sides have been fighting over media restrictions and how to balance transparency with the increased security concerns that come with a nationally televised assassination case. Prosecutors have stated their intent to pursue the death penalty if Robinson is convicted of aggravated murder.

Robinson was arrested roughly 33 hours after the shooting, reportedly after his parents and a retired detective encouraged him to surrender. Until recently, he had only appeared via video feed from the jail, but today marked his first in-person appearance inside a Provo courtroom.

Robinson’s attorneys argued that extensive publicity could taint the jury pool and compromise his right to a fair trial. News organizations pushed back, insisting that any limits on coverage must be narrowly tailored and that the public has a right to observe proceedings in a case of this magnitude.

, 2025-12-11 20:52:00, , Trending Politics Conservative Breaking News and Commentary, %%https://trendingpoliticsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cropped-tp-fav-2-32×32.png, https://trendingpoliticsnews.com/feed/, Chris Powell