A Utah judge overseeing the criminal prosecution of Tyler Robinson, the Utah man who is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, ordered on Monday that a transcript and audio recording of a previously closed-door hearing should be released with light redactions.
Fourth District Judge Tony Graf said he expects that a transcript will be available by the end of the day Monday.
That transcript is of an October hearing, which lasted about two hours and centered around arguments about whether Robinson could wear plain clothes and be unshackled during his court hearings. Graf has since ruled that Robinson does not have to wear jail clothes but needs to be restrained during court.
The Provo judge ordered Monday that 246 words — about a page total — be redacted from the 80-page transcript. He also ordered that a redacted audio recording of the hearing should be released within two weeks.
Graf said that he weighed the public’s interest with privacy concerns and safety measures when ruling which portions of the hearing should be made public. Ultimately, he determined that the only necessary redactions were comments centered around courthouse security.
“This case generates extraordinary, ongoing national and international attention,” he said, “some of which is threatening in nature to the parties, the representatives and non-party participants. The safety and well-being of all involved in this matter outweighs the interests of the public that are served by open court records.”
Graf’s Monday ruling came during a hearing where he announced what role the media will have in Robinson’s case going forward.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in 4th District Court in Provo, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys have previously asked the judge to limit media access in the criminal case, at times arguing that journalists should not be allowed to photograph Robinson or that certain hearings should be closed. A coalition of media organizations, led by The Salt Lake Tribune, responded by asking the court to notify them of any future requests to limit access to proceedings.
Graf on Monday ruled that prosecutors and defense attorneys must notify media outlets when asking to make any records or court hearings private — but the judge stopped short of allowing the media to become an official party in the case, noting that journalists don’t need to be notified if someone files a request to limit cameras or other electronic media in the courtroom. Defense attorneys have indicated in a hearing earlier this month that they plan to do so.
Kirk’s death and the ensuing criminal proceedings against Robinson have garnered extraordinary media attention and coverage at the Provo courthouse where hearings have taken place.
Robinson is facing multiple charges, including aggravated murder, in connection with Kirk’s Sept. 10 death. Prosecutors have indicated they will seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
Robinson is expected to be in court again next month for a hearing where defense attorneys are expected to argue whether the Utah County attorney’s office can continue prosecuting the case.
In a motion filed earlier this month, they wrote a key prosecutor’s family member was at the Utah Valley University campus event where Kirk was killed. They argue that creates a conflict of interest that should preclude the entire Utah County attorney’s office from handling the criminal case.
— This is a developing story. Check back for updates.