Heartless Reaction: Charlie Kirk's Accused Assassin Tyler Robinson Seen Laughing During First In-Person Court Appearance — as His Own Mother Breaks Down in Tears
Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, was in court Thursday.
Dec. 11 2025, Published 3:11 p.m. ET
The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk looked disturbingly calm and relaxed as he made his first court appearance Thursday in Utah, RadarOnline.com can report.
Tyler Robinson appeared to chuckle with his lawyers as a judge heard arguments about whether to allow media cameras for the trial.
High Emotions in Court
Robinson looked calm as he sat with his lawyers.
Robinson was surrounded by his pricy legal team as he entered the Provo, Utah, courtroom. The 22-year-old was dressed in a simple blue button-down shirt and a multicolored tie and had restraints on his wrists and ankles.
His family was also in the gallery. His mom was seen wiping away tears in the pews.
Robinson's attorney was there to argue against allowing cameras in future hearings, for fear they could taint a jury.
Kirk’s widow, Erika, has pushed for cameras in the courtroom, in part to cut down on what she has called conspiracy theories about her husband's death.
"We deserve to have cameras in there," she told Fox News last month. "Why not be transparent?"
Robinson's Big Court Win
He also was seen grinning and chuckling during the key hearing.
Judge Tony Graf has already made a few major concessions to Robinson's team, ruling on Monday, October 27, that, he has the right to appear in civilian clothing at his hearings.
His lawyers had argued that not allowing him to do so would create a "real risk of prejudice" if the public and potential jurors saw him in only jail attire.
The State of Utah, Sheriff's officials, and the court's security director all opposed the request because jail clothing enhanced safety and identification.
The judge sided with the defense, stating that, given the intense media coverage and the widespread distribution of images, the "risk of prejudice is significant," and that Robinson needed to be dressed as "one who is presumed innocent."
Prosecutors Will Seek the Death Penalty
Kirk was shot and killed while addressing college students.
Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Robinson, who is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of Kirk.
Robinson is accused of staking out a spot atop a building on the Utah Valley University campus, where he allegedly used a long-range rifle to assassinate conservative firebrand Kirk as he was debating students in an outdoor quad area.
The horrific shooting was captured on video by audience members, and Kirk's death was mourned by millions of his fans around the world. It also sparked outrage over political violence after Robinson's family claimed he had been radicalized by left-wing ideology.
While authorities looked for a motive, Robinson's mother said he had become "more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented" after growing up in a conservative household.
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Robinson's Alleged Confessions
prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Robinson reportedly confessed to Kirk's murder in chat message to friends and family. In a note to his lover, Lance Twiggs, who was transitioning to become a woman, Robinson allegedly wrote, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it."
In the text exchange, when Twiggs asked Robinson why he allegedly shot Kirk, he replied, "I had had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."
Robinson was charged with murder, and prosecutors revealed they are seeking the death penalty due to the special circumstances of the attack, which was allegedly politically motivated.
