The man accused of assassinating political activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah college in September made his first public in-person court appearance on Thursday.

Tyler Robinson had previously attended his hearings via a video feed from the Utah County jail. He smiled as he chatted with his legal team in the courtroom ahead of the hearing. He faces aggravated murder charges for the killing of the Turning Point USA founder in front of a crowd of thousands of people at Utah Valley University.

Mr. Robinson arrived with restraints on his wrist and ankles but the judge blocked the press from taking photos or video of the restraints after defense lawyers told the judge that the images could influence future jurors.

Mr. Robinson wore a blue, button down dress shirt with a patterned tie after the judge allowed him to change from his jail outfit into street clothes for court appearances. His parents and brother were in the courtroom. Mr. Robinson smiled at his family members as his mother wiped tears from her eyes.

Mr. Robinson’s legal team and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office have asked the judge to ban cameras in the courtroom claiming it could interview with his right to a fair trial. Several media organizations asked to allow the cameras to stay.

Soon after the hearing started, Judge Tony Graf ordered the press and people in the gallery — including Mr. Robinson’s parents — out of the court to debate whether to release details of a previous hearing in connection with the trial that had been held in private.

The public portion of the hearing was set to resume after that evidence debate.

Mr. Robinson is being held without bail. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty.

This is a developing story and will be updated.