Hi everyone,
Utah Judge Tony Graf has a decision to make. The presiding judge in the murder case of Charlie Kirk entertained a motion from the defense attorneys of Tyler Robinson which asked that cameras not be permitted in the courtroom. They had some other requests too, namely that Robinson be permitted to wear civilian clothes, not be shackled, and if he were shackled in court, that he not be filmed in restraints.
Graf already granted two of those requests: Robinson will be in civilian clothes, and though he will be shackled, cameras will not be permitted to film him while in those shackles. He vacated what was meant to be the hearing that would be Robinson's first court appearance, Oct. 30, so that he could consider the balance of the requests.
In response to this ruling, Human Events Media Group penned an open letter to Judge Graf, asking that he allow cameras in the courtroom. We ask simply for transparency. The defense will use every available lever within its control to prevent the public from learning about this case.
In their motion, they condemned the circulation of Robinson's booking photo, footage from his first video court appearance, and the law enforcement officers who detailed the evidence collection, manhunt, and eventual surrender of Robinson. This case has captured public interest and the public has a right to ensure that justice is served.
We all remember where we were when we heard that Charlie had been shot, and the hours that followed where many of us took to prayer just hoping for a miracle and that Charlie would survive. Many of us saw the footage of his killing and personally, I will never be able to remove those images from my mind.
He was sitting behind a table, under a tent, microphone in hand, speaking with students, engaging in debate, when suddenly blood began gushing from his neck in a waterfall and he keeled over. We all saw the students running as Charlie was whisked away, only to be pronounced dead a few hours later.
Charlie did not get to decide whether or not his murder would be live streamed, only his assassin had a say in that. Charlie's life was public, his execution was public, and the trial of the suspect in his murder should be open to the public as well.
You can read our letter and sign our petition.
Libby