Charlie Kirk’s wife forgives her husband’s killer (video)

The 22-year-old suspect’s lawyers argued that images showing him wearing prison attire and shackles could lead potential jurors to believe he is guilty and “deserves” the death penalty, jeopardizing his chance at a fair trial, according to a 21-page motion filed Thursday in Utah’s Fourth District Court.

Robinson — accused of shooting the conservative activist during a speech event at Utah Valley University on September 10 — was seen wearing a “suicide prevention smock” during a virtual hearing last month.

His attorneys argued in their motion to District Judge Tony Graff: “In the face of global scrutiny, allowing Mr. Robinson to wear civilian clothes for his court appearances is a minor inconvenience compared to the already existing concerns about securing a fair trial before an impartial jury.”

They added, “With every development in the case generating thousands of articles and online comments, the likelihood that potential jurors will see clear signs of pretrial detention and draw conclusions about Mr. Robinson’s guilt or the punishment he deserves will only increase.”

The motion stated: “Given the extensive media coverage of this case, the repeated and widespread display of Mr. Robinson in prison clothes, shackles, and a suicide prevention smock will undoubtedly be seen by prospective jurors and will inevitably lead future jurors to perceive him as guilty and deserving of the death penalty.”

A note in the file also referenced the “high-profile death penalty case of Kohberger,” where his request to wear a suit and sit in the courtroom without shackles during pretrial hearings was granted.

It is worth noting that Brian Christopher Kohberger is the main accused and convicted in the University of Idaho murders case, a crime that shocked the United States in late 2022.

However, Kohberger’s courtroom appearance did not help him, as he was sentenced in July to life imprisonment without parole.

Robinson is charged with aggravated first-degree murder and other crimes and could face the death penalty under Utah state law — a punishment publicly supported by President Donald Trump, a close friend of Kirk.

Utah is one of five states that still use firing squads as a method of carrying out the death penalty.

Robinson has not yet pleaded guilty or not guilty to the charges against him. He is scheduled to return to court on October 30.