Erika Kirk: ‘We deserve to have cameras’ in Utah court hearings for her husband’s accused killer, after attorneys suggest banning them

In a Fox News interview, Erika Kirk said she wants transparency in Tyler Robinson’s criminal case.

(Kenny Holston | The New York Times) Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk and the new CEO of Turning Point USA, speaks during the memorial for her late husband at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.

Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, said this week that she wants cameras in the courtroom during proceedings for his accused killer — noting that cameras were “all over” capturing the moment when her husband was killed while speaking at Utah Valley University in September.

“There have been cameras all over my friends and family mourning,” she added during an interview with Fox News’ Jesse Watters. “There have been cameras all over me, analyzing my every move. Analyzing my every smile. My every tear.”

“We deserve to have cameras in there,” she added.

Both Utah law enforcement and the defense team for Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Utahn accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, have asked a judge to limit media coverage of the high-profile court case and ban cameras during court proceedings.

Robinson’s defense lawyers said in court papers that they’re concerned that he may not receive a fair trial if images of him continue to be circulated.

So far, 4th District Judge Tony Graf has declined to rule on that request, which was part of a larger legal argument over whether Robinson can wear plain clothes during court hearings rather than a jail jumpsuit. Graf ordered that the defendant could wear his own clothes, and limited reporters from capturing images or video of Robinson that would show that he is wearing shackles and restraints.

Graf said that if attorneys wanted to further purse a blanket camera ban, they would have to file new motions. That hasn’t happened as of Tuesday.

Erika Kirk told Watters that she wants transparency in the court case, saying that she wants the public to see “what true evil is.”

“Why not be transparent?” she questioned. “There’s nothing to hide.”

Graf, a newly appointed judge, has vowed that he will conduct the proceedings “open to the public” and that they will be “handled with diligence and competence to ensure that justice is never compromised.”

This week, Fox News released a clip of Watters speaking with Erika Kirk about courtroom access ahead of the network’s airing of the full interview at 6 p.m. MT on Wednesday.

Robinson is accused of shooting Kirk, the controversial Turning Point USA founder, on Sept. 10 while Kirk was speaking in front of thousands at UVU. Utah County prosecutors charged Robinson with seven counts, including aggravated murder, and he faces a potential death sentence if he’s convicted.

He’s expected to be in court again on Jan. 16, which will be the first time he will be in-person in a Provo courtroom. Previously, he has appeared via a video feed from the jail, most often with the camera off.