The man accused of murder Charlie Kirk He is due back in court on Friday as his lawyers seek to accuse prosecutors of contempt for comments they made in the media about him. Bullet fragment He recovered from Kirk’s body.
Tyler Robinson’s defense attorneys accused prosecutors of going on a “media tour” to discuss expert reports about the bullet. The defense claims those statements violated restrictions imposed by Judge Tony Graf against speaking about the case outside court.
But prosecutors said they had the right to correct misinformation provided by Robinson’s lawyers about the initial inconclusive finding by ballistics experts, who could not immediately match bullet fragments to a gun allegedly used by Robinson. Details about the initial findings sparked stories about Robinson’s possible exoneration.
“The rules expressly allow attorneys to set the record straight,” Utah Deputy District Attorney Christopher Ballard wrote.
Robinson’s lawyers have tried to be wary of media coverage, which they say sometimes misrepresents their client, as his case has drawn. Enormous public interest. The 23-year-old from southwest Utah is charged with aggravated murder in Assassination of September 10 Kirk, co-founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA, on the campus of Utah Valley University.
Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. He has not yet filed a petition.
Robinson’s lawyers did not specify what penalties should be imposed on prosecutors if Graf agreed that they violated his orders and charged them with contempt of court. But in court filings, the defense team pointed to another criminal case in which prosecutors were held in contempt, and said one potential remedy would be to bar the state from seeking the death penalty.
While the judge in that earlier case disagreed about the merit of a death penalty order, Robinson’s lawyers noted that “the court did not find that such a remedy was beyond its authority when supported by the facts.”
Graf said he would issue his decision on the contempt allegations at a later date.
A key hearing in the case is scheduled for next month, where prosecutors must prove they have enough evidence to justify a trial. It will be the most significant presentation of evidence to date in a case that has so far focused on case-related issues Access to media.
Robinson’s lawyers asked Graf to stay the proceedings while the ruling is appealed Request June 1 The judge refused to ban cameras from entering the courtroom.