(Los Angeles) A US judge on Monday allowed the alleged murderer of pro-Trump influencer Charlie Kirk to appear in normal clothing, rather than in a prison uniform, for the remainder of his legal proceedings.
Tyler Robinson, 22, faces the death penalty for having assassinated the spokesperson for Trumpist youth on September 10, during an open-air debate on a university campus in Utah.
His lawyers argued that the fact of appearing in a prison uniform, in this case widely followed in the United States, risked influencing future jurors in his upcoming trial.
“Mr. Robinson’s right to the presumption of innocence outweighs the slight inconvenience of permitting civilian attire, and Mr. Robinson must be dressed as someone presumed innocent,” said the judge overseeing the case, Tony Graf, in issuing his decision.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Judge Tony Graf
“The case generated extraordinary public and media attention,” he said. Images of Mr. Robinson in inmate clothing are likely to circulate widely and influence potential jurors. »
Given the seriousness of the accusations against Mr. Robinson, the judge, however, refused to allow him to appear without handcuffs.
He will have to be restrained during his appearances in court, but the press will not be able to broadcast photos or videos of him in handcuffs, to respect his presumption of innocence.
The suspect, who has not yet indicated whether he is pleading guilty or not, is due to appear in court in person for the first time at his next hearing, set for January 16.
On Monday, he attended the hearing by videoconference from prison.
According to the investigation, Mr. Robinson murdered Charlie Kirk because he could not stand the “hatred” he conveyed.
Raised by Republican and Mormon parents, the young man confessed to the murder in text messages to the transgender person with whom he was roommates and in a romantic relationship.
“I was tired of his hatred. There is a certain hatred that cannot be negotiated with,” he wrote.
A controversial figure in the United States, Charlie Kirk was a 31-year-old Christian nationalist, who largely contributed to disinformation about the 2020 presidential election, the result of which is still contested by Donald Trump.
He posed as a fierce defender of the traditional family and was very critical of the LGBT community and transgender people.
