Judge Rejects Defense’s Bid to Close Charlie Kirk Hearings

Judge Graf said Monday that Robinson’s lawyers had not shown that his fears about adverse publicity exceeded the public’s right to an open judicial procedure

The court also said law enforcement officials have already provided reams of information to the public regarding the killing of Robinson and Kirk and that the defense will get a chance to question potential jurors about their exposure to news coverage when the case gets to trial.

In December, the judge ruled that both the defense and prosecution must notify media representatives when a hearing will be closed but denied the media’s request to be granted formal party status in the case.