Lawyers for Tyler James Robinson, 23, fail to persuade judge that media coverage could compromise right to fair jury
A Utah judge has ruled that cameras will be allowed in the courtroom as the murder case progresses against Tyler James Robinson, the 23-year-old man charged with assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year.
Robinson’s attorneys had sought to block still photographers, TV cameras and microphones from accessing portions of an evidentiary hearing. They raised concern about “prejudicial and misleading media coverage” that could compromise Robinson’s constitutional right to a “fair and impartial jury”, in a court filing.
Several news organizations, including the Salt Lake Tribune, The Associated Press, The New York Times and Fox News, opposed the request , writing in a recent memorandum that no evidence was provided of prejudice resulting from media coverage.
Lawyers for the media organizations also argued the press played an important role in allowing those unable to be physically present in the courtroom to follow along with the legal proceedings.
