Attorneys for Tyler James 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 prejudicing potential jurors.
In a nine-page filing submitted Jan. 27, Robinson’s defense team opposed the State of Utah’s request to play a close-up color video with audio that captures moments before, during, and after Kirk was shot, Fox News reported.
The objection was filed ahead of a Feb. 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, attorneys say the hearing is narrowly focused on whether a family member of a prosecutor personally witnessed events at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, creating an actual or apparent conflict of interest.
According to the filing, prosecutors have already submitted still photographs and diagrams showing Kirk’s location and the proximity of witnesses, which Robinson does not oppose.
Defense attorneys argue those materials are sufficient to address the limited factual questions relevant to the disqualification motion.
They claim the video has no probative value in determining whether the prosecution team should be disqualified.
The filing further argues that even if the court finds minimal relevance, the footage should be excluded under Rule 403 due to the danger of unfair prejudice.
The defense describes the video as “graphic and likely highly disturbing.”
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Attorneys warn that if the footage is played in open court, it could be immediately broadcast nationally and internationally.
They argue such exposure would jeopardize Robinson’s constitutional right to a fair trial in what they note is a capital case.
“This is the most momentous judgment a jury can be asked to make,” the defense wrote, citing a prior Utah Supreme Court ruling emphasizing the need to keep capital proceedings free from bias and prejudice.
Robinson’s attorneys argue 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, the defense asks 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, is charged with aggravated murder and related offenses in the fatal shooting of Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.
Prosecutors have indicated 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 challenging the prosecution’s authority.
The defense has also moved to disqualify the Utah County Attorney’s Office, citing a claimed 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, Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has urged the court to move the case forward without unnecessary delays, citing the constitutional right to a speedy trial.
Judges have not yet ruled on several pending motions, and additional hearings are scheduled for early February.
The case remains in its pretrial phase, with no jury selection date set.
