Judge Orders Release of Secret Hearing Transcripts in Charlie Kirk Murder Case

PROVO, Utah — In a significant victory for judicial transparency, a Utah judge ruled Monday that the public and media must be granted access to previously sealed records in the capital murder case against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Fourth District Judge Tony Graf ordered the immediate release of a redacted transcript from a closed-door October hearing.
The hearing focused on a contentious debate: whether Robinson should be forced to wear shackles during his court appearances. While the judge maintained that certain security protocols must remain private, he emphasized that "foundational" transparency is essential to the American legal system.

Key Information of the Ruling
The decision follows a concerted push by a coalition of media organizations, including The Associated Press and Fox News, to ensure the high-profile trial remains open to public scrutiny.

• Transcript Release: The 80-page transcript, with approximately 246 words redacted for security, was ordered to be posted to the court docket by the end of Monday.
• Audio Access: Judge Graf also authorized the release of the audio recording from the October 24th hearing, though officials noted it may take up to two weeks to finalize the necessary redactions.
• Media Status: While the judge denied a request to grant media outlets formal "intervenor" status, he mandated that both prosecutors and defense attorneys provide advance notice before any future attempts to close a hearing to the public.

The Shackling Controversy
The legal battle over Robinson's appearance stems from a defense motion filed in early October. Robinson’s attorneys argued that appearing in restraints could create a "presumption of guilt" and prejudice potential jurors.

In an October 27th order, Judge Graf reached a middle ground: Robinson may wear civilian clothes to court, but he must remain in restraints to ensure the safety of court staff and the public. Under current Utah court rules, defendants in custody are generally required to be restrained unless a judge specifically finds they pose no risk.

To mitigate potential bias, the judge previously ordered that media outlets must not broadcast or publish images showing Robinson’s shackles. This rule was briefly tested earlier this month when a livestream inadvertently captured the defendant's handcuffs, leading the judge to temporarily halt the feed and reposition the cameras.

Background of the Case
Tyler Robinson is facing a charge of aggravated murder in connection with the September 10th shooting of Charlie Kirk. The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was killed by a single shot fired from a rooftop while he spoke at an event on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem.

Timeline:

Fatal Shooting of Charlie Kirk
September 10, 2025

Closed-Door Hearing on Restraints
October 24, 2025

First In-Person Court Appearance
December 11, 2025

Ruling on Transcript Release
December 29, 2025

Preliminary Hearing
Week of May 18, 2026

Prosecutors have officially announced their intent to seek the death penalty against Robinson, who is currently being held without bail at the Utah County Jail.

What’s Next?
The case is far from settling into a routine. Robinson is scheduled to return to court on January 16, 2026. At that time, the court will hear a defense motion seeking to disqualify the entire Utah County Attorney’s Office. The defense alleges, without evidence, that there is a conflict of interest, claiming a high-ranking prosecutor had a family member in the audience during the shooting who witnessed the chaos firsthand.

The preliminary hearing, where the state will present its evidence to justify a trial, is slated for the week of May 18, 2026.