Tyler Robinson, Accused of Killing Charlie Kirk, Smiles in First In-Person Court Appearance By Nicole Acosta 10

Tyler Robinson, the man suspected of killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in September, made his first in-person court appearance on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Robinson, wearing a light blue collared shirt and multi-colored tie, appeared to be calm and smiling at times while talking to his attorneys before the hearing began inside the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, on Thursday.

The 22-year-old has been charged with single counts of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm and violent offense in the presence of a child, along with two counts each of obstruction of justice and witness tampering. He has not entered a plea yet, and prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.

During the hearing on Thursday, the arguments were focused on media potentially filming upcoming court proceedings and public access to case information. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that only a portion of Thursday’s hearing was filmed, and the public, including Robinson’s family, was barred from entering the courtroom during certain conversations, per the judge’s orders.

According to CNN, a media request for transcript access from an October court hearing was also raised in court.

At Robinson’s first court appearance on Sept. 16, when he appeared virtually, he wore what appeared to be a suicide-prevention vest and remained silent as the charges against him were read.

Authorities allege Robinson fatally shot Kirk on Sept. 10 from a building 200 yards away during a Turning Point USA rally on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Robinson then allegedly fled the scene but left behind a rifle that prosecutors claim had traces of his DNA.

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Robinson was arrested after Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said he confessed to a family member after they saw FBI-released surveillance images. The family member notified authorities, and Robinson later turned himself in with help from a family friend.

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Robinson allegedly told his roommate that he had planned the shooting for “a bit over a week,” per text messages read out by Cox during a press conference. Asked why he murdered the right-wing activist, Robinson allegedly replied “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”

The roommate has not charged with a crime and is cooperating with investigators, authorities have said.

Following her husband’s killing, Erika Kirk made a public statement, saying she was determined to continue Charlie’s mission and that Turning Point USA will continue with its American Comeback Tour. At Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona, the widow — who now leads Turning Point — said she forgave Robinson.

A judge previously ruled Robinson have no contact with Erika.