\n<\/p>\n
PROVO, Utah — <\/span>A Utah judge is set to decide Monday whether to bar reporters and the public<\/a> from parts of a key upcoming hearing in the case of the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tyler Robinson\u2019s defense has asked Judge Tony Graf to restrict access to the preliminary hearing on July 6-10, when prosecutors must show they have enough evidence to warrant a trial. It will mark the most significant presentation of evidence to date in a case that has so far focused on matters of media access<\/a>.<\/p>\n Defense attorneys also have requested to seal dozens of exhibits that prosecutors plan to introduce at the July hearing, arguing they could taint the jury pool before a possible trial. <\/p>\n Robinson’s lawyers have tried to guard against media coverage that they say sometimes misrepresents their client as his case has drawn tremendous public attention<\/a>. The 23-year-old from southwestern Utah is charged with crimes including aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 assassination<\/a> of Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus. <\/p>\n Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. He has not yet entered a plea.<\/p>\n Prosecutors have argued that the preliminary hearing should remain open, but they agreed that media should be restricted from viewing or copying some exhibits that could be used in a future trial. They plan to introduce forensic analyses, surveillance video, recordings of witness statements, autopsy findings and alleged messages from Robinson admitting to the crime.<\/p>\n Authorities have said DNA consistent with Robinson\u2019s was found on the trigger of the rifle used to kill Kirk, the fired cartridge casing, two unfired cartridges and a towel used to wrap the rifle. Prosecutors also have said Robinson left a note<\/a> for his romantic partner that read, \u201cI had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I\u2019m going to take it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n