Defense Team For Tyler Robinson File Surprise Legal Motion in Kirk Case

But Graf ruled that cameras would be allowed in his courtroom for the April 17 hearing

“In balance, the defendant has not provided a sufficient basis for the court to find that the interests favoring closure outweigh the interest favoring an open proceeding and the presumptive right to access,” Judge Graf said during Friday’s hearing. He further noted that while the April hearing would generally be open, portions might be closed to protect privacy and safety concerns. The defense had until March 30, 2026, to file a redacted version of their motion to keep cameras out of the courtroom. This would let them make arguments about certain closures.

The ruling on Friday cited the U.S

Supreme Court’s 1981 decision in Chandler v. Florida, which said that having cameras in the courtroom does not automatically violate a defendant’s right to a fair trial. Graf argued that the decision struck a balance between the public’s right to know and the defendants’ rights. In the end, they rejected the defense’s claims that media coverage could bias potential jurors in this high-profile case. Most recently, the defense filed a motion seeking to hold prosecutors in contempt, accusing them of engaging in a “willful media tour.”