By Dave Pulver
The jury acquitted Kyle Rittenhouse today after a two-week trial and 26 hours of jury deliberation.
Kyle Rittenhouse, now 18, was charged with killing Anthony Huber, 26, and Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz, 27, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Aug. 25, 2020. Rittenhouse, then 17, traveled to Kenosha from Antioch, Illinois, to attend a protest set off by Jacob Blake’s wounding, who is black by a white police officer.
Rittenhouse testified that he had taken note of rioting associated with other Black Lives Matter protests elsewhere in the country and that he attended the protest to protect private property amid the rioting that he expected to occur.
Not Guilty on Count 1: First-Degree Reckless Homicide, Use of A Dangerous Weapon
Joseph Rosenbaum was the first man Rittenhouse shot on the evening of the Aug 25 protest and riots. A video introduced as evidence shows Rittenhouse fleeing from Rosenbaum, who cornered him in a used car lot, at which point Rittenhouse turns and shoots Rosenbaum. Richie McGinnis, a reporter at the scene, testified that Rosenbaum lunged for Rittenhouse’s gun.
Not Guilty on Count 2: First-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Use of A Dangerous Weapon
This felony charge is related to count 1. McGinnis told investigators he was in the line of fire when Rittenhouse shot Rosenbaum.
Not Guilty on Count 3: First-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Use of A Dangerous Weapon
Video testimony shows an unknown man leaping at Rittenhouse and trying to kick him seconds before Anthony Huber swings his skateboard at him. Rittenhouse fires two rounds at the man but misses as the man runs away.
Not Guilty on Count 4: First-Degree Intentional Homicide, Use of A Dangerous Weapon
This charge relates to Anthony Huber’s death rather than the unknown man mentioned in Count 3. Video testimony shows Rittenhouse falling to the street in the process of running away after shooting Rosenbaum. Huber approaches and swings a skateboard at his head and neck, then tries to grab Rittenhouse’s gun before Rittenhouse fires.
Not Guilty on Count 5: Attempted First-Degree Intentional Homicide, Use of A Dangerous Weapon
This is the charge for Rittenhouse shooting Gaige Grosskreutz in the arm seconds after he shot Huber and as Grosskreutz came toward him holding a pistol. Grosskreutz survived. Video shows Rittenhouse pointing his gun at Grosskreutz and firing a single round.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has mobilized 500 National guard troops to assist the hundreds more local public safety personnel already allocated to protect Kenosha from possible rioting in the wake of the Rittenhouse acquittal.
*Dave Pulver is a retired communications engineer of 35 years. His interests include aviation, motorcycling, civics, history, and politics.