Attorneys for Tyler Robinson have formally objected to prosecutors introducing and publicly displaying a graphic video of the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at an upcoming pretrial hearing, arguing the footage is irrelevant to the legal issue before the court and risks severely prejudicing potential jurors.
In a nine-page filing submitted January 27, Robinson’s defense team objected to the State of Utah’s proposed close-up color video with audio that captures the moments before, during, and after Kirk was shot.
The objection was filed ahead of a February 3 evidentiary hearing on Robinson’s motion to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office from prosecuting the case due to an alleged conflict of interest.
The defense argues the hearing has nothing to do with the cause of Kirk’s death or Robinson’s guilt or innocence.
Instead, they say the issue before the court is narrowly focused on whether a family member of a prosecutor personally witnessed events at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, creating an actual or apparent conflict of interest.
According to the defense, prosecutors have already submitted still photographs and diagrams showing Kirk’s location and the proximity of witnesses, materials Robinson does not oppose.
Those exhibits, attorneys argue, are sufficient to address the limited factual questions relevant to the disqualification motion.
Robinson’s lawyers contend the video has no probative value in determining whether the prosecution team should be disqualified.
They further argue that even if the court finds the footage minimally relevant, it should be excluded under Rule 403 due to the danger of unfair prejudice.
The filing describes the footage as “graphic and likely highly disturbing” and warns that if played in open court, the video could be immediately broadcast nationwide and internationally.
Defense attorneys argue such exposure would jeopardize Robinson’s constitutional right to a fair trial in what they note is a capital case.
Citing prior Utah Supreme Court precedent emphasizing the need to keep capital proceedings free from bias and prejudice, the defense wrote:
“This is the most momentous judgment a jury can be asked to make.”
The defense stressed that public dissemination of the video before trial would not serve the administration of justice and could irreparably taint the jury pool.
The filing does not seek to permanently bar the video from being introduced at trial.
Instead, Robinson’s attorneys ask the court to exclude the footage from the upcoming pretrial hearing or, if admitted, to keep it sealed and not publicly displayed.
Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah man accused of fatally shooting Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in September, remains charged with aggravated murder and related offenses.
Prosecutors have signaled they intend to seek the death penalty.
In recent hearings before Utah’s Fourth District Court in Provo, Robinson’s defense team has filed multiple motions aimed at limiting evidence and reshaping the prosecution.
The defense has also moved to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office, citing an alleged conflict of interest after it was revealed that a prosecutor’s adult child was present at the event and allegedly witnessed the shooting.
Prosecutors have rejected that argument, maintaining that no ethical violation exists and that the office can handle the case impartially.
Meanwhile, Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has formally urged the court to move the case forward without unnecessary delays, emphasizing the constitutional right to a speedy trial as the defense continues to file motions.
Judges have not yet ruled on several pending requests, and additional hearings are scheduled in early February as the court weighs evidentiary limits, prosecutorial authority, and trial scheduling.
The case remains in its pretrial phase, with no jury selection date set.
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