The hearing is scheduled to begin Monday and is expected to draw significant public attention given the national profile of the victim and the intense public interest surrounding the case.
While Judge Graf approved media access, he did partially side with the defense on a procedural issue involving a media request. According to court records, the Utah-based Deseret News failed to meet the court’s filing deadline for coverage on July 6 after submitting its request 13 days in advance rather than the required 14 days. However, the outlet’s requests to cover proceedings on July 8 and July 10 were approved.
In a detailed written ruling, Graf explained why he believed controlled media access would ultimately benefit public understanding of the proceedings.
“On this record, controlled livestreaming and still photography may reduce reliance on secondhand or inaccurate descriptions by allowing the public and journalists to observe the same proceedings subject to the court’s decorum order, camera-placement restrictions, evidentiary rulings, and exhibit limitations,” the judge wrote.
Graf also dismissed broader concerns that media coverage alone would create an unfair environment for Robinson.
“The court does not rely on a generalized preference for electronic access; it finds that the specific benefits of accurate public observation of this preliminary hearing outweigh the incremental prejudice Defendant has identified from the requested coverage itself,” the judge added.
The judge acknowledged that publicity surrounding the case is unavoidable but concluded that the defense failed to demonstrate that controlled courtroom coverage would create any additional meaningful harm.
“In sum, the preliminary hearing is likely to generate extensive public discussion about Defendant. Defendant has shown a substantial risk of prejudicial publicity generally, but has not shown on this record a reasonable likelihood that the requested controlled coverage separate—from publicity likely to occur regardless—will prejudice his fair-trial rights,” the judge held.
He further concluded:
“Nor has Defendant shown sufficiently compelling reasons under Rule 4-401.01 to exclude the requested coverage, subject to the limitations and continuing supervision described in this order.”
The ruling marks another major development in a case that has already generated extensive courtroom battles. Robinson’s legal team has filed numerous motions challenging various aspects of the prosecution’s case, resulting in months of delays before the preliminary hearing could finally begin.
Another issue drawing attention involves a potential prosecution witness who may play a pivotal role in the proceedings.
Court filings reveal that 22-year-old Lance Twiggs, a former roommate of Robinson, has been granted limited-use immunity related to statements he provided during an interview with prosecutors earlier this year.
Twiggs met with prosecutors on April 20 and participated in a recorded interview concerning Robinson and the events surrounding Kirk’s death. Portions of that interview could be presented during the upcoming hearing.
Prosecutors have also indicated they may seek to introduce communications exchanged between Twiggs and Robinson as evidence. According to court documents, the immunity arrangement means Twiggs’ recorded statements generally cannot be used against him in future criminal proceedings, though the protection is limited in scope.
The prosecution claims Twiggs repeated information he previously provided to investigators shortly after the killing. According to those filings, Twiggs told authorities that Robinson allegedly admitted involvement in the shooting, concealed the firearm afterward, disposed of clothing connected to the incident, and instructed him not to cooperate with law enforcement.
Those allegations remain claims made by prosecutors and have not yet been tested through courtroom examination or cross-examination.
The information surfaced as prosecutors pushed back against efforts by Robinson’s defense team to compel Twiggs to testify during the preliminary hearing.
With cameras now approved, key witnesses potentially set to take the stand, and prosecutors preparing to present evidence they believe links Robinson directly to the killing, next week’s hearing is shaping up to be one of the most consequential moments in the case so far.
For both sides, the stakes could hardly be higher. Prosecutors will attempt to convince the court that sufficient evidence exists to move the case toward trial, while Robinson’s defense team will look for opportunities to challenge the government’s narrative before the proceedings advance any further.
After months of legal sparring behind closed doors, the case is finally moving into full public view.
