I just did a post two days ago on murder suspect Tyler Robinson's review hearing scheduled today.
I am covering it live. I checked with Utah State Courts about the screenshots included.
Court is in closed session for Tyler Robinson's hearing right now while Utah Fourth District Judge Tony Graf hears from counsel about what should be sealed.
Present for the prosecution in court today are Utah County Attorney Mr. Chad Grunander, Mr. Christopher Ballard, Utah County Attorney General Counsel and Chief of Staff and Utah County Attorney Lauren Hunt.Ms. Kathryn Nester, Mr. Richard Novak and Ms. Staci Visser for the defense.
Robinson's father, mother and brother are in court today.
Judge Graf gave an overview about how today's hearing will proceed. Courtroom closed while Judge Graf hears from attorneys. When hearing resumes, arguments on motions which is open to media and public. Judge Graf will take a brief recess and issue rulings.
Defense request to allow Robinson's family members to stay was denied. Mr. Novak who made the request could not state case law to Judge Graf and said, "it was the Court's decision."
Mr. Ballard told Judge Graf he was concerned about family members being allowed in the closed courtroom when security measures were being discussed.
Oct 24, 2025 closed hearing audio and transcript, state's motion to clarify gag order & request about media being granted limited party status to be discussed today.
This photo of Robinson with his lead attorney, Ms. Nester is courtesy the Salt Lake Tribune, the designated media outlet for stills. KSL Utah is livestreaming the hearing on You Tube.
11:01 Robinson talking with defense team.
11:03: Robinson smiled. Ms. Visser says, "It is kinda wierd." Could only pick up audio sometimes before hearing and when their mics caught these exchanges so I have no idea what that was in reference to but they knew there would be cameras and people in the courtroom and that Robinson would be the focus.
11:05: Court officially in session.
1:35: Court is still closed.
1:22 Court reopened. Waiting on Judge Graf. Defense obviously read feedback and observations.
1:42 p.m. Judge Graf enters courtroom. In session. Discussion about violation of standard decorum of proceeding. KSL camera relocated away from defense table. Defense request to terminate broadcast denied.
1:57 p.m.: A moment of levity when Judge Graf says "looking for my noted but they have disappeared." Laughter in the courtroom.
Mrs Erika Kirk designated as victim representative by Judge Graf at her request and presented by Utah County Attorney prosecutors. in court today. Defense did not object.
Utah County Attorney Mr. Chad Grunander told Judge Graf that "we don't have an alleged victim; we have a victim" referring to Charlie Kirk's murder & saying why case law supports the use of victim instead of alleged victim. He also said, "we have an alleged perpetrator."
Preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson set for May 18, 19 & 21st although dates maybe changed. Ms. Nester is in trial February and March 2026 and one member of the defense team was not in court today.
Discovery in Tyler Robinson case so far is state receiving 13,900 files; 300 duplicates & 7,951 files have been provided to defense. Mr. Grunander said discovery would be "ongoing."
Judge Graf clarified gag order in Tyler Robinson case as requested by the State; oral ruling on two other motions on 12/29. Jan 16 date remains but Jan 30 rescheduled for Feb 3.
While the clerk was checking schedules; Judge Graf said that he currently has 1,409 cases assigned to him.
Kudos to Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, KSL & other media outlets for standing up for media access today. Mr. David Reymann & Mr. Michael Judd, two of the three lawyers in court for media, articulated good points.
The victim, loved ones of Charlie Kirk, media & public also have rights.
Defense should have prepped their client how to act in a courtroom. Ms. Staci Visser, whether there are cameras or not; blaming the media for how you & your client behave in the courtroom is deflection. Act professional. Smirking, smiling, when you know there are media and public in the courtroom was your choice. Your own bio states you have experience only in family law. This is a criminal case. Maybe take notes from Ms. Nester who conducted herself professionally, aware of the media and others.
This is a high profile case with a lot of interest. Media coverage is the only way most people will know what is happening. The public does not have five hours nor will they sit around for these last minute motions and developments, which were today by the defense.
Clearly, you read or were given feedback because both Robinson and your demeanor when court resumed in the afternoon was different.
I didn't see Robinson with shackles on the livestream. So if someone violated that order; then someone not authorized filmed something which no one in the public seems to have seen. There was brief audio in the beginning of the defense attorneys talking but then it was muted. That was an "inadvertent" mistake as articulated by one of the media lawyers. Court didnt start on time. No one could see the defense's notes. We saw both the defense and prosecution's laptops so unless Judge Graf and the attorneys saw something; Ms. Visser you were just whining. From the beginning, the defense wanted to curb and deny access to media and the public. Your remarks were very disparaging. If you can dish it out; then you should take valid criticism and observations. You remind me of a couple of Humboldt defense attorneys who blame everyone else but themselves and their client.
In the United States, most court proceedings are open to the public. Factual observations are reporting.
I have to give a shout out to those Humboldt defense lawyers who prep their clients, especially when there is media coverage. To those Humboldt defense lawyers who don't obstruct media and the First Amendment. Our local judges who are very specific and clear in their media requests and court orders. When walk into a Humboldt courtroom; you know what you are allowed to do and what is prohibited.
While it is not completely avoidable, Humboldt lawyers turn off their mics when court is not in session and they know if you talk in front of media; that could be reported. Fr. Eric's local homicide case made international news. So have other high profile cases. Do your voir dire.
Robinson's defense team should advocate for a fair trial but muzzling media and dictating what should be written and that Robinson deserves some special accomodation about closed courtrooms without media having a chance to weigh in is not how it works in the United States.
There are many aspects of covering courts in Utah and other states I like better than Humboldt. I am very impressed with Utah State Courts; especially when it comes to media.
However, today's hearing made me appreciate California and our local judges in the consistency and clarity. Media has evolved to include new media. Our judges are aware and keep that in mind when granting or denying a request.
I will update more when I have time which could be today, tomorrow or the weekend. I have no idea about the last minute media sanction and a lot happened today and there was a lot of waiting around which is typical when courtroom is closed.
Previous posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/10/tyler-robinson-hearing-for-thursday.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/10/prosecutors-response-to-defense-request.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/10/indeed-given-pervasive-media-coverage.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/09/next-tyler-robinson-hearing-at-october.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/09/tyler-robinson-defenses-first-request.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/09/tyler-robinson-is-now-expected-to.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/09/pre-trial-protective-order-granted-by.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/09/pre-trial-protective-order-granted-by.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/09/tyler-robinson-first-court-hearing-is.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/09/this-investigation-is-fast-moving-and.html?m=1
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