Nathan Layne

KENOSHA WIS. (Reuters). KENOSHA — The Wisconsin murder trial lead prosecutor for Kyle Rittenhouse on Thursday charged the judge with unfairness. This comes a day after he was exhorted for trying inadmissible evidence against Rittenhouse and quizzing the teenager over his right to silence.

On Thursday, the defense summoned an expert witness after Rittenhouse had testified on Wednesday in his defense about last year’s shootings in Kenosha. As the trial neared its end, Rittenhouse was called to the stand as a defense witness. Bruce Schroeder of Kenosha County said Friday that the case may be brought to trial by the jury.

Rittenhouse (now 18) is facing charges in the deaths of Joseph Rosenbaum (36) and Anthony Huber (26) and in the injuries sustained by Gaige Grosskreutz (77) during chaotic protests for racial equality on Aug. 25, 2020. Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty, stating that he was acting in self-defense.

Rittenhouse is seen as an antagonistic figure. Some conservatives view Rittenhouse as heroic and support expansive gun rights. They believe the Kenosha shootings are justified. Rittenhouse is seen by many on the left as a vigilante, and symbol for an American out-of control gun culture.

On Thursday, Thomas Binger, Kenosha County Assistant District attorney, argued against the defense’s attempt to present John Black’s updated report on use-of force expert John Black. Black had just appeared before Binger. Binger claimed that the report included evidence which the judge already rejected.

After Rittenhouse was questioned by the prosecutor about his decision not to speak until Rittenhouse’s testimony (as is his right), the judge exploded in anger against Binger. He also brought up an audio recording Rittenhouse had made two weeks prior that showed Rittenhouse talking about shoplifting and he shot men at the pharmacy. Schroeder previously declared the video unadmissible. The defense moved for a mistrial which is currently being considered by the judge.

“Yesterday was my target for your anger because I disregarded your orders. After arguing to limit testimony from the force expert, Binger stated that today the defense was disregarding your orders.

Binger stated, “I believe it’s fundamental fairness question.” “If I am being asked to comply with the court’s orders I ask that the defense also be so.”

Schroeder said, “I was discussing yesterday the Constitution of United States and how it has been interpreted by the Supreme Court for 50 years,” in reference to Rittenhouse’s rights to silence. “That’s not the topic we’re discussing today.”

He also stated that he misspoke Wednesday’s prediction that the case would be presented to the jury Monday or Tuesday, because he wasn’t sure what day it was.

CLAIM FOR SELF-DEFENSE

Rittenhouse, wearing a navy blue jacket and burgundy shirt along with a yellow-and–blue-striped tie, was seen sitting alongside his lawyers on Thursday. Rittenhouse claimed that he used an AR-15-style rifle in order to fire upon the men after being attacked and ambushed by them. According to Rittenhouse, he came to the demonstrations as a volunteer and firefighter. When his lawyer asked him about the events that led to one of the shootings, he broke down in tears.

The evidence at the trial includes video of Rittenhouse walking with the gun on his back as he walks along streets where officers used armored personnel carrier and protestors were expressing high emotions.

Two nights of violent protests followed by the arrest of Jacob Blake (Black man) and Kenosha’s paralysis from his waist had already taken place the night before the shootings. The police used rubber bullets as well as tear gas to manage the protestors. Some were wearing military-style clothing and carrying guns, and some of them had been violently beaten by officers.