The man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk at a Utah Valley University event last September returns to court on Friday as his defense attorneys seek to disqualify prosecutors in the case over an alleged conflict of interest.
Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with the Sept. 10 shooting of the conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA while he was speaking to a crowd at an event. He has not yet entered a plea in the case, and prosecutors with the Utah County Attorney's Office are seeking the death penalty.
Defense lawyers, however, allege that the Utah County Attorney's Office has a conflict of interest because the child of one of its prosecutors was at the Utah Valley University event.
The family member was allegedly within 85 feet of Kirk, and law enforcement was deployed to the area to keep her safe, according to Robinson's attorneys during an Oct. 24 hearing.
The Utah County Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The transcript from the Oct. 24 hearing waspreviously sealed,but was released with redactions in December after Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf ruled that the public had the right to access it.
The attorneys are expected to argue their case in Utah court on Friday afternoon, where Robinson is expected to appear.
Attorneys for Robinson have also filed a motion to permit Robinson to appear in court hearings in regular clothing, without restraints. The motion also argued to "eliminate all video and audio broadcasting or delayed feeds of court proceedings," because attorneys fear this will affect the fairness of the trial, according to the Oct. 24 hearing.
Kirk's widow, Erica,called for full transparencyand said the public deserves cameras throughout the case.
Robinson appeared in court for the first time on Dec. 11, shackled at the waist, wrists, and ankles, and wearing a dress shirt, tie, and slacks.
Prosecutors allege that Robinson targeted Kirk for his political views, and the 22-year-old's family said that he had been increasingly concerned about LGBTQ rights, accordingto an indictment filed in September.
