Tyler Robinson Returns to Court Friday in Charlie Kirk Shooting Case

Tyler Robinson, 23, is scheduled to return to court Friday in the case charging him with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10. Robinson's lawyers are asking Judge Tony Graf to hold prosecutors in contempt, accusing them of conducting a "media tour" about key ballistics evidence.

The defense claims prosecutors violated court restrictions on public comments by discussing a bullet fragment recovered from Kirk's body with reporters.

Prosecutors deny wrongdoing. They state they were correcting misleading claims about forensic evidence that had sparked speculation Robinson could be cleared. At the center of the dispute is a preliminary ballistics analysis that reportedly could not immediately match bullet fragments recovered from Kirk's body to a firearm investigators say was used in the killing.

News reports about the inconclusive findings prompted prosecutors to publicly push back. "The rules expressly allow lawyers to set the record straight," Deputy Utah County Attorney Christopher Ballard wrote in court filings. Robinson faces an aggravated murder charge.

Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted. Robinson has not yet entered a plea. The contempt motion comes ahead of a major hearing scheduled for next month, when prosecutors must present enough evidence to convince the court the case should proceed to trial.

It is expected to be the most significant public presentation of evidence since Robinson was charged. Robinson's attorneys have also asked the court to pause proceedings while they appeal a June ruling allowing cameras in the courtroom. Judge Tony Graf has indicated he will decide the contempt issue at a later date.