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A judge in the Charlie Kirk murder case has made a surprising decision ahead of the ‘extraordinary’ trial.
This comes as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson is set to make his first in-person public appearance at his hearing in the new year.
Robinson is accused of shooting Kirk in the neck during an appearance at Utah Valley University (UVU) on September 10.
The political commentator was on stage addressing a 3,000-strong crowd as part of his ‘American Comeback’ tour, where he had been asked by an audience member: “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last ten years?”
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Kirk replied: “Counting or not counting gang violence?”
Immediately after, a gunshot could be heard. It was later confirmed that Kirk had died from his injuries sustained in the gunshot wound.
A manhunt was conducted by the FBI and 33 hours later, 22 year old Robinson was arrested under suspicion of murder.
He made his first court appearance on September 16 via video link from Utah County Jail where he is currently being held, which is where he heard that prosecutors would be seeking the death penalty.
Now, a judge has ruled that Robinson will be allowed to appear in court wearing street clothes but must be physically restrained.
Judge Tony Graf said: “Mr Robinson shall be dressed as one who is presumed innocent.”
Kirk’s memorial took place on September 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which was attended by over 90,000 people, where several speakers took to the stage including Vice President JD Vance, President Donald Trump, and Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk.
Addressing the crowd, Erika said: “I looked directly at my husband’s murdered body. I saw the wound that ended his life, but there was something else. Even in death, I could see the man that I love.
“I saw the one, single grey hair on the side of his head, which I never told him about. Now he knows. Sorry baby, I'm telling you now.”
Erika went on to say the surgeon had told her that Charlie did not in any way suffer.
She continued: “I also saw on his lips the faintest smile. And that told me something important. It revealed to me a great mercy from God in this tragedy. When I saw that, it told me Charlie didn’t suffer. Even the doctor told me - it was something so instant.”
