Charlie Kirk
Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC BY-SA 4.0

In a case that has captured global attention, the man accused of assassinating Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk is now fighting for his image in court, arguing that the orange jumpsuit of a prisoner is the modern-day equivalent of a scarlet letter.

One month after the fatal shooting on a Utah college campus, Tyler Robinson has formally asked a judge to appear in civilian clothes, free from the shackles and cuffs that he argues have already begun to paint him as a monster in the public eye.

A Fight for a Fair Trial

In a detailed, 21-page motion submitted to Judge Tony Graf, the 22-year-old's attorneys argue that preserving his constitutional right to a fair trial is paramount, according to FOX News. They invoked the recent high-profile case of Idaho student murderer Bryan Kohberger to bolster their argument, requesting a closed-door hearing to discuss the matter of physical restraints away from the glare of the media.

'In the face of worldwide scrutiny, permitting Mr Robinson to wear civilian clothing for court appearances is a minor inconvenience compared to the already present concerns with securing a fair trial before an impartial jury', his lawyers wrote.

The legal team's concerns are amplified by the widespread online circulation of a video showing Kirk being shot in the neck during a speech at Utah Valley University on 10 September.

'With each development in the case generating thousands of articles and comments online, the likelihood of potential jurors seeing and drawing conclusions regarding Mr Robinson's guilt and or deserved punishment from obvious signs of pretrial incarceration will only increase', they continued.

They argued that 'the repeated and ubiquitous display' of their client in a jail jumpsuit 'will inevitably lead to prospective juror perception that he is guilty and deserving of death'.

To counter this, his lawyers pointed out that Robinson has been a well-behaved inmate and possesses no prior criminal record.

The Charges and Evidence

Authorities apprehended Robinson within 33 hours of the shooting of Kirk, a 31-year-old married father of two. Robinson is now charged with aggravated murder, obstruction, and witness tampering; a conviction could result in the death penalty.

The case against Robinson includes police allegations that he stashed the murder weapon near the crime scene, where they claim to have found his DNA. Furthermore, investigators state he took responsibility for the killing in messages to his family, friends, and his trans romantic partner, who is reportedly cooperating with the investigation.

A plea has not yet been entered by Robinson, whose next court appearance is scheduled for 30 October.

For continuing coverage on this and other major legal stories, tune in to IB Times UK. What are your thoughts on a defendant's attire in court? Share your opinion in the comments below.

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