Good morning from Kenosha!
This is where I’m posted up for possibly the next two weeks, as the #KyleRittenhouse trial starts TODAY with jury selection.
This is the media workroom in the basement of the courthouse. @SpectrumNews1WI
This is where I’m posted up for possibly the next two weeks, as the #KyleRittenhouse trial starts TODAY with jury selection.
This is the media workroom in the basement of the courthouse. @SpectrumNews1WI
Judge Bruce Schroeder has arrived. It is the only camera feed we will see all day, as video and photos of jurors is not allowed.
They’re having some A/V issues with their overflow jury room, so he’s playing Jeopardy with the potential jurors @SpectrumNews1WI
They’re having some A/V issues with their overflow jury room, so he’s playing Jeopardy with the potential jurors @SpectrumNews1WI
False start. About 5 minutes ago, it seemed we were about to get underway, but we're back to Jeopardy with the judge and potential jurors.
It seems he has a tear-off trivia calendar, which is where his questions are coming from.
It seems he has a tear-off trivia calendar, which is where his questions are coming from.
@SpectrumNews1WI Judge Schroeder has been clearing his throat quite a bit and addressed it with the potential jury, saying it's just sinus issues, and that he's been vaccinated three times for COVID-19 #KyleRittenhouse
Schroeder just explained why there are 20 jurors. He said they do NOT have alternates. All 20 will be seated. There's a potential jurors could be released at the END of the trial.
He said he is asking them for two weeks, plus a two days.
He said he is asking them for two weeks, plus a two days.
Says trial will start at 9 am and continue until 12 noon. They'll recess for lunch, then resume and work until 4:30 or 5 with some quick breaks during.
#KyleRittenhouse
#KyleRittenhouse
Judge Schroeder said there is "Less than a 1% chance" he would order the jurors to be sequestered. #KyleRittenhouse
@SpectrumNews1WI
@SpectrumNews1WI
@SpectrumNews1WI Schroeder said it's fairly safe that he will operate on the 9 a.m until 4:30 or 5 p.m. schedule, but said it could be flexed.
@SpectrumNews1WI The potential jurors are being placed under oath for voir dire. #KyleRittenhouse
@SpectrumNews1WI Now Schroeder is giving a quick speech about the Vietnam War, and how his classmates were being drafted -- getting into why jury duty is a civic duty (like taxes and the draft)
@SpectrumNews1WI "If when I ask if there is any reason you can't be on the jury, understand I may say no to you because of that background."
Said it's perfectly valid to be asked to be excused, but he approaches this as an important duty, just as being drafted to the war.
Said it's perfectly valid to be asked to be excused, but he approaches this as an important duty, just as being drafted to the war.
One juror is already dismissed, as her permanent residence is in Chicago.
It was Seat 3. #KyleRittenhouse
It was Seat 3. #KyleRittenhouse
All the discussion with the panel of 34 potential jurors has been based on the schedule of the trial / any hardships.
Only one has been released so far, seven others have raised some concerns.
Schroeder is considering, but is now introducing the case to them. #KyleRittenhouse
Only one has been released so far, seven others have raised some concerns.
Schroeder is considering, but is now introducing the case to them. #KyleRittenhouse
Schroeder now asking if anyone has not read or heard anything on this case.
Now giving a little speech again.
Said this case is extremely political. Called some of the writings "sloppy journalism" but said it wasn't an attack on "the media"
Now giving a little speech again.
Said this case is extremely political. Called some of the writings "sloppy journalism" but said it wasn't an attack on "the media"
Said it's part of the free press -- said there is bias in some things available to read/watch
Said the jurors must come to a rational decision based on what they see in the courtroom through evidence.
If they can't do that and be fair, they cannot serve on the jury.
Said the jurors must come to a rational decision based on what they see in the courtroom through evidence.
If they can't do that and be fair, they cannot serve on the jury.
Schroeder reminds the jurors that they are not allowed to go back and watch or read any coverage of the case, and tells them they will not be photographed or videoed.
Seven of the 34 person voir dire panel said they can not ignore what they've seen or heard in the past year about this case.
The judge is taking that into consideration.
They're taking a quick 5 minute restroom break.
The judge is taking that into consideration.
They're taking a quick 5 minute restroom break.
A second juror has been dismissed. #KyleRittenhouse
A third juror has been dismissed. He lives in Racine, not Kenosha.
To clarify on the 2nd juror released (happened as I was finishing my live hit on @SpectrumNews1WI)
-- That juror knows one of the potential witnesses and said it would impact how she viewed that person's testimony.
-- That juror knows one of the potential witnesses and said it would impact how she viewed that person's testimony.
@SpectrumNews1WI A fourth juror has been released due to a hardship.
Two more jurors have been dismissed. Up to six total #Rittenhouse #KyleRittenhouse #RittenhouseTrial
Judge Question: Have you ever formed an opinion or communicated an opinion on the guilt or innocence of the defendant? (Other than that the defendant is innocent, which is protected by the law)
One juror has been dismissed, as that they don't know if they have an opinion as to the guilt of #Rittenhouse
Total of 7 now.
Total of 7 now.
Another juror dismissed. 8.
Another juror dismissed -- going to Europe on Friday. 9 out.
Another juror excused for bias. 10
Another juror said she knows a lot of police and firefighters, and that she can't put her feelings aside. She's been dismissed.
11.
11.
One juror said he's been commenting on news feeds for the past 14 months, and that he has belief in the 2A
Judge stopped him, saying this is not a political trial. Urging the juror to try the case based on the evidence provided in court.
Juror doesn't believe he can be fair.
Judge stopped him, saying this is not a political trial. Urging the juror to try the case based on the evidence provided in court.
Juror doesn't believe he can be fair.
He's been dismissed. 12 dismissed so far.
Another juror said she has sought out video in case.
Said she can be impartial if facts are given by both sides. "Facts aren’t presented equally."
Said one video painted Rittenhouse in a more favorable light. News was not favorable for him. Said she has a preconceived notion.
Said she can be impartial if facts are given by both sides. "Facts aren’t presented equally."
Said one video painted Rittenhouse in a more favorable light. News was not favorable for him. Said she has a preconceived notion.
Another juror said he's expressed that #RIttenhouse is guilty, and said he has tried to work through that. Doesn't think he can abandon that opinion.
13 dismissed.
13 dismissed.
14th juror dismissed -- independent contractor who has work to finish on a house that's closing
Another juror dismissed on bias. 15 released.
Another juror dismissed on bias -- judge tried to explain that it's not whether or not it would be difficult, she said she'd be unable to be impartial.
16 dismissed.
16 dismissed.
Another juror said her religious belief of "thou shall not kill" is important.
Judge said that most religious beliefs allow for self defense, which the #Rittenhouse attorneys say led to him shooting three people.
The juror said she has to follow God's laws.
Dismissed. 17.
Judge said that most religious beliefs allow for self defense, which the #Rittenhouse attorneys say led to him shooting three people.
The juror said she has to follow God's laws.
Dismissed. 17.
Another juror dismissed. Said she has "general and specific biases." 18 out.
19 jurors gone. Another dismissed because of formed opinions she has about #Rittenhouse that she said she can't set aside.
Lunchtime!
Pizza has arrived. Judge Schroeder wants to start at 12:45 but said that might be too tight.
Court will resume at 1:15 p.m. central
#Rittenhouse #RittenhouseTrial @SpectrumNews1WI
Pizza has arrived. Judge Schroeder wants to start at 12:45 but said that might be too tight.
Court will resume at 1:15 p.m. central
#Rittenhouse #RittenhouseTrial @SpectrumNews1WI
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