(NewsNation) — The 22-year-old man accused of assassinating conservative political activist Charlie Kirk appeared in court Tuesday wearing a protective vest and special gown in jail.
Tyler Robinson showed no emotion during the virtual hearing as he faced seven charges, including aggravated murder and witness tampering, in connection with Kirk’s death last week at Utah Valley University.
Under Sheriff Sean Bufton confirmed to NewsNation that Robinson was wearing a protective gown and remains on “special watch right now until we see how he’s going to continue to act in the jail.”
Charlie Kirk suspect appears in court; prosecutors seek death penalty
The suspect had previously told his parents he would rather kill himself than surrender to police.
Vest worn by Charlie Kirk suspect could be clue about defense: Banfield
NewsNation’s true crime show anchor Ashleigh Banfield said the protective vest worn during his court appearance could significantly impact his defense strategy. Banfield said that what defendants wear in court matters because it can “prejudice the jury pool,” and the garment suggests Robinson is considered a danger to himself.
Banfield predicted defense attorneys will likely use Robinson’s mental state as part of a “diminished capacity effort” to argue against the death penalty.
She said the protective vest indicates Robinson is “obviously very troubled,” and this evidence of psychological distress “will mount itself into its case in some way.”
However, Banfield also said that an insanity defense would be difficult to mount successfully.
Man who said he shot Charlie Kirk charged with child sexual exploitation
She pointed to Robinson’s attempts to keep the crime secret from his roommate as evidence he understood the difference between right and wrong.
Charlie Kirk suspect text messages reveal weeklong planning
Utah County District Attorney Jeffrey Gray confirmed he is seeking the death penalty against Robinson.
Charging documents revealed Robinson’s mother first recognized him from surveillance photos released by authorities. When she called to ask his whereabouts, Robinson claimed he was sick in bed.
Robinson’s father became suspicious after police described finding the murder weapon — a bolt-action rifle that matched one he had given his son. When the father asked Robinson to send photos proving he still had the rifle, it triggered a text conversation between Robinson and his roommate that ultimately led to his confession.
According to prosecutors, Robinson’s mother told investigators her son had become more political over the past year, “leaning more to the left” and becoming “more pro-gay and trans rights-oriented.” She said Robinson had begun dating his roommate, described as a biological male transitioning genders.
Kirk suspect allegedly confessed to killing over text message
When asked why he committed the murder, Robinson told his parents, “There is too much evil and the guy spreads too much hate,” referring to Kirk.
Text messages between Robinson and his roommate showed Robinson had been planning the attack “a bit over a week.” After confessing to the killing, Robinson directed his roommate to a note he had left under his keyboard and asked him to delete their text conversations.
In the messages, Robinson said he was concerned about retrieving his grandfather’s rifle than about taking Kirk’s life.
“I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpa’s rifle,” Robinson wrote, according to charging documents. “I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find prints.”
Police found Robinson’s fingerprints on the rifle’s trigger, along with DNA evidence on a towel wrapped around the weapon and a screwdriver found on the rooftop where the fatal shot was fired.
