Nathan Layne and Lisa Shumaker

KENOSHA WIS. (Reuters). Despite the attention being directed at Kyle Rittenhouse from the United States and his three victims in Kenosha Wisconsin, the trial’s judge is often the focal point.

The two-week testimony period saw Kenosha County Judge Bruce Schroeder clash with Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger.

Both sides could face off on Monday, when the closing arguments begin. Each side has two-and-a half hours to present their case.

Schroeder could be instructing the jury in an important civil self-defense case. This is the biggest civilian defense trial since George Zimmerman was acquitted of the murder of Trayvon Martin (an unarmed Black teenage) in Florida.

Who is then the judge in the Wisconsin case?

LONG CAREER

Media reports claim that Schroeder (75) received both his Bachelor’s and Law degrees at Marquette University. Marquette University was a Jesuit private school located in Milwaukee. Before entering private practice, he served as Kenosha County district attorney. According to reports, he was elected to the court in 1983. He is currently the longest serving active judge in Wisconsin’s trials courts.

In 2020, he ran for the office unopposed and served a 6-year term.

PATRIOT PERSONALITY

Some glimpses of his personality were revealed during the trial. The judge asked the courtroom to applaud veterans of the military on Veterans Day. After that, the judge asked whether anyone had ever served in the military. One person, however, indicated that they did. This was a defense witness.

Multiple times during the trial, the judge’s phone rang with “God Bless America” at various points.

Schroeder made a joke about Asian food as the court prepared to break for lunch Thursday.

Schroeder expressed concern about the Port of Long Beach as a significant gateway to U.S.-Asian commerce, which has been experiencing congestion and delays.

This comment was criticized by groups that work for racial equality, such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

Yes to LOOTERS and NO TO VICTIMS

Judge Rittenhouse ruled before the trial began that Rittenhouse shot three men and could be called looters or arsonists depending on the evidence. However, he banned Rittenhouse from using the term victim as it was not customary to use in court. According to him, they could be called “complaining witness” and “decedent”.

Schroeder declared, “This is a long-held belief of mine which I believe very few judges agree with.”

‘DON’T GET BRAZEN’

Rittenhouse testified last week in his defense, saying that he fired his AR-15-style rifle at Rittenhouse to defend himself against an attack.

Schroeder repeatedly asked the jury members to exit the courtroom during cross-examination and then sharply corrected Binger about his questioning.

Binger was criticized by the judge for questioning Rittenhouse on his decision not to speak after his arrest and about the video he recorded 2 weeks prior in which he talked about shooting people whose shoplifting he believed were at the pharmacy.

Schroeder already declared the video unadmissible. Binger was the next to erupt after the jury left.

Binger heard the judge say to him, “When your claim that you were acting in good will,” He yelled at Binger, “Don’t be brazen with me!”

Defense filed a motion to mistrial. Although the judge indicated that he was going to consider the case, he decided to let the trial continue.

CONFLICT MORE

Binger, fighting against an attempt by the defense to present an amended report from John Black (use-of-force expert) who testified to video evidence of the shootings on Thursday brought back tensions. Binger claimed that the report included evidence which the judge already rejected.

“Yesterday was my target for your anger because I disregarded your orders. Today, the defense disregards your order,” Binger stated. He added that fundamental fairness was at issue. “If the court orders are being enforced on me, then I ask that they be respected by the defense.”

Schroeder replied, “I was speaking yesterday about the Constitution of the United States,” in reference to Rittenhouse’s right not to speak. “That’s not the topic we are discussing here today.”