Kyle Rittenhouse Going To Trial On All Six Counts, Court Decides

Topline

In a case that’s divided the nation, Kyle Rittenhouse will stand for trial for the fatal shooting of two people and injury of a third during summer unrest in Wisconsin, the Kenosha County Commissioner decided on Thursday during a preliminary hearing, dismissing a request from the teenager’s lawyer to drop two of the six charges he’s facing. 

Key Facts

Key Background 

Rittenhouse’s case has become a rallying point among some conservatives who argue that Rittenhouse, who said he was in Kenosha protecting small businesses from violence that devolved from anti-racism protests in the city, is a patriot forced to act in self defense. Consequently, right-wing groups have poured millions of dollars into his legal defense fund and Rittenhouse’s mother says she’s received $100,000 from two organizations—one that supports gun rights and one that backs militias across the country—to help with personal expenses. Rittenhouse was freed on $2 million bail on Nov. 20. 

What To Watch For 

Rittenhouse will be arraigned Jan. 5 in Kenosha County Circuit Court. His trial does not yet have a set start date. 

Further Reading 

“Kyle Rittenhouse’s Mother Says Her Son Shouldn’t Have Been In Kenosha” (Forbes) 

“Kyle Rittenhouse Says He Doesn’t Regret Bringing Gun To Kenosha, He’s Not Part Of A Militia” (Forbes) 

“Kyle Rittenhouse cried, vomited and worried about social media as he told Antioch cops, ‘I shot to white kids’” (The Chicago Tribune)