The Murder Trial of Kyle Rittenhouse: What is He Accused Of?
18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse is currently being prosecuted for the murder of two teenagers and wounding of a third in the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin. The trial has sparked public outcry and debate worldwide, as Rittenhouse is being tried as an adult on six charges including First Degree Intentional Homicide and Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide. But what did Kyle Rittenhouse do allegedly to deserve being on trial?
Violent Protests in Kenosha
In August 2020, around the same time as the trial of Breonna Taylor, demonstrations erupted in Kenosha, Wisconsin in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer. The nights were marked by violence, vandalism, and looting. The police chief of Kenosha asked the community to “lawfully demonstrate” and reject violence, though the evening protests often devolved into clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
Kyle Rittenhouse and the Deadly Shootings
On August 25, 2020, the evening protests became particularly violent. Reports of shots fired quickly spread, and it soon became clear that the shooter was Kyle Rittenhouse. According to various news reports, Rittenhouse had supposedly gone to Kenosha with the intention to protect property. He had come armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and was seen patrolling the streets of Kenosha with a small group of armed men.
Rittenhouse then allegedly opened fire in the midst of a crowd of protesters, killing Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum, and injuring a third person, Gaige Grosskreutz. Video footage of the incident shows that Rittenhouse only opened fire after being attacked by protesters.
The Aftermath
After shooting the three people, Rittenhouse was seen running on the street, pursued by protesters. When he stopped, an armed civilian stepped in to protect him until the police arrived, who arrested Rittenhouse shortly after.
Rittenhouse was then extradited to Wisconsin to stand trial on six charges, including First Degree Intentional Homicide, Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide, four counts of Endangering Safety, and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon. The court has ruled that Rittenhouse be tried as an adult, rather than a minor.
The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse is an ongoing and highly controversial case. The debate surrounding the court ruling is still intense, as Kyle Rittenhouse faces consequential charges that many of the age group would not normally face. But the details of what succeeded that fateful night in Kenosha remain at the heart of the trials: exactly what did Kyle Rittenhouse do to be on trial?