Today it begins. The Kyle Rittenhouse trial. I am stationed in a media room for jury selection today. Begins at 9am. So far we have seen Rittenhouse’s mother enter the courthouse. 
We will only see the Judge on camera today, as to prevent not revealing any identities of the men and women summoned for this case.
This will be my view of jury selection today. Reporters are on a rotation for courtroom seating, meanwhile Judge Schroeder still quizzing jurors with random jeopardy questions, as he gives potential jurors bathroom break before they start
Wendy Rittenhouse as she walked into the courthouse this morning. Her son Kyle is charged with intentional, attempted and reckless homicide. @WISN12News interviewed her in December 2020 during one of her only interviews, she maintained her son acted in self defense.
from 300 jurors summoned for case, Judge says around 150 showed up, they need to get that number to 20.
jeopardy continues......
Judge explaining instructions to jury, voir dire process, says they need to determine if these people are suitable to be a juror, looking for impartial jurors.
Judge now telling a story of his time in law school, during Vietnam War, explaining obligation of jury duty and importance
one juror says she just moved to Chicago, Judge said he felt sorry for her, but excused her.
so far jurors telling judge, work, childcare and migraine issues could be a conflict for serving on this jury
Judge explaining charges to potential jurors, tells them Rittenhouse has entered a plea of not guilty
Judge now going back to 476 Rome era, following his question asking if anyone had not heard or read about the case, appeared to be crickets for answers
several people saying they can't set aside something they read or saw about the case to be impartial
clerk of courts say 179 of 300 showed up today, some had medical appointments, and other reasons and were excused. Potential jurors now will hear about 200 names of potential witnesses to see if anyone has a conflict of interest
first 15 names or so are Kenosha Police officers and firefighters, a few people are saying they know some of the officers
Besides more officers, special agents from FBI, @mkemedexamine also third shooting victim Gaige Grosskreutz and Dominic Black who is charged with a straw purchase of Rittenhouse's gun, illegally buying a weapon for someone who cannot, Rittenhouse wasn't old enough to buy a gun
one man said his son is friends with Dominic Black,
***these are potential witnesses who may be called. Also named former alderman, Kevin Matthewson who put out original call to arms with "Kenosha Guard" Facebook page
more potential witnesses, girlfriend of shooting victim Anthony Huber, and 3 Rittenhouse family members including his mom
couple people don't feel they could be impartial, one guy is going to Poland Friday, he was excused.
one juror says he believes in the second amendment and cannot be impartial, another man said his mind if made up already, no changing.
one woman says she believes "thou shall not kill"
more and more starting to announce they have already formed opinions on the case and cannot put that aside despite any evidence that will be presented
morning break, back at 1:15pm judge orders jurors not to talk about the case
About 20 jurors have been dismissed so far from the morning session
we're back in session, jury selection resumes
Prosecutor Thomas Binger questioning jurors, asking who took measures to protect their homes or businesses during the unrest, who's familiar with guns, who has training as a medic
Jurors asked by prosecutor if anyone is afraid to make a decision in this case due to family or friend circles, one woman said her husband is very opinionated.
Pros Binger asks if anyone has donated or knows anyone who donated to Rittenhouse's defense fund, no hands were raised.
one juror tells defense attorney Chirafasi "no one wants to be here." Says being on a jury especially one like this is scary, afraid for safety when leaving courtroom.
We are back from individual voir dire, being told they reached 34 jurors, each side will get 7 strikes, starting now
20 jurors will be picked to hear the case, 12 will decide Rittenhouse's fate
Judge playing jeopardy again while attorneys take 10-15 minutes to make strikes. Jury will be set soon
strikes have been made
#Breaking jury in #KyleRittenhouse trial has been picked, 20 jurors will hear case, 11 women, 9 men
Day 2, opening statements 9am. 20 jurors will hear from both legal teams. It will set the tone for the trial. #KyleRittenhouse
Rittenhouse has entered the courtroom, maroon shirt and tie today, his mom and sister are also here.
I will be in the courtroom today for complete coverage
Prosecutor Binger chatting with defense attorneys Richards and Chirafisi, Judge Schroeder also walked in wearing a Chicago Blackhawks jacket, but he does have a @Brewers tissue box behind his bench
both sides discussing curfew violation and possession of firearm as a minor before jury comes in for instructions. Defense filed a motion to reconsider dropping misdemeanor charge, again. Discussing affirmative defense...judge hasn't ruled yet, prosecution argues about hunter
safety certificate required to legally use a firearm to hunt as a minor
still discussing the language of the charges before jury is read their instructions. Recklessly endangering safety charge related to Richard McGinnis who was in the line of fire when RIttenhouse shot and killed Joseph Rosenbaum, Judge says jury instructions says must consider
how dangerous was conduct, if self defense found for Rosenbaum, then they consider that for endangering the safety of McGinnis
we've seen Rittenhouse yawn a few times this morning. Now both sides speaking to judge at the bench, possibly discussing a letter from a juror......???
jurors are now seated. 11 women, 9 men, all white except 1. All will hear entire case until alternates are designated when trial over, then 12 decide the case.
Judge reading instructions to jurors, half are wearing masks. Not required in the courtroom.
Jury instructions on the charge of 1st degree intentional homicide 1. defendant caused death 2. defendant acted with intent to kill, had mental purpose to take another human being's life
Opening statements coming next, prosecution goes first
Prosecutor Thomas Binger has already referenced Kyle Rittenhouse a half dozen times, telling jurors out of hundreds of people who participated in the unrest, Rittenhouse was the only one who killed someone. Now speaking about self defense claim and what law says
Binger says though Rittenhouse claimed to be in Kenosha as a medic, ran away after shooting and killing Rosenbaum who was unarmed.
First witness from state will be Dominic Black, charged with straw purchase, bought Rittenhouse's AR-15. Rittenhouse was 17, couldn't legally buy or have a gun
Defense wants to use photos and videos for opening statements, prosecution says opening statements should be a summary not all of the evidence
Defense objecting to prosecution statements about Rosenbaum in opening statements, not being specific about what hospital he was released from the night of shootings and why he was released. Judge says some things aren't relevant to case, jury being called back now
Richards showing jurors video of Joseph Rosenbaum earlier in the night, saying how Rosenbaum was shouting "shoot me" followed by a racial slur
says Rosenbaum lit a trailer on fire on Sheridan Rd.
Richards showing a picture of Gaige Grosskreutz, slipped and called him a "victim" not allowed in the trial. he quickly corrected himself
Def attorney Richards told jurors Rittenhouse was attacked in the street like an animal and did what he had to do to survive, fearing his gun would be taken and used on him.
Dominic Black on the stand, testifying about the AR-15 he bought for Rittenhouse. He was shown the actual guns in court. Black was Rittenhouse Aug 25, part of armed militia on a roof
Black says he talked to Rittenhouse before buying about how he wasn't old enough, Rittenhouse paid for the gun, they used for target practice on Black's hunting property, they agreed to keep gun locked up in Black's father's home in Kenosha, but Aug 25, Black says
his dad unlocked the gun safe due to the unrest for protection. Rittenhouse stayed over and says he took the gun
Black says Rittenhouse called him after Rosenbaum shooting telling Black he shot someone, after next two shootings, Black met up with Rittenhouse, drove back to Antioch, said Rittenhouse seemed scared, but said he had to it was self defense. Black says Rittenhouse never
mentioned anyone attacked him with a weapon. He says Rittenhouse talked about heading to Michigan, Black told him to turn himself in, he did.
Defense attorney Richards asked Black if he's hoping by testifying for prosecution, they might not recommend prison time for the two felonies he's charged with, Black said yes, but also testified no promises have been made.
Richards pressed Black on the moment when Rittenhouse walked out of his father's Kenosha home with the AR-15 and Black didn't say anything or stop him.
lot of talk and questioning from both sides about the sling both bought to carry AR-15 around the night of Aug 25th.
Rittenhouse taking some notes as witness Korri Washington testifies. This man says he was live-streaming Aug 25, says he is a social media influencer.
Correction, first name spelled Koerri, aka Koerri Elijah
#KyleRittenhouseTrial about to start another day. Rittenhouse in court, blue shirt today, defense attorneys, prosecution getting ready. Koerri Washington will continue testimony from yesterday, he's a social media influencer who was on Facebook live the night of the shootings
Wendy Rittenhouse, Kyle's mother has been here everyday, we have not seen any other family members of the victims. A number of them are on the state's witness list, unclear if and when they will be called to testify.
Judge on the bench, about to call jury in
Koerri Washington back on the stand
most jurors walked in with a notepad and pen
showing several minutes of Washington's live stream from that night, not much happening yet in the video
did show Grosskreutz and Huber passing through video briefly
Binger using a wand/pointer to show jury Rittenhouse and Richie McGinnis in live stream video
Rittenhouse's eyes glued to the livestream, Binger pausing many times to point things out, Rosenbaum also pops into frame
Cross exam, Corey Chirafisi asks Washington if he received a curfew violation ticket, he said no, but Washington said knew he was out past curfew. Chirafisi now discussing pictures of burned vehicles from Aug 23
Chirafisi asked Washington if he thought it's reasonable for people to put out fires near a gas station, Washington said it's reasonable
Chirafisi asks Washington, who was on his skateboard that night, how *he would swing a skateboard at someone to hurt them, Washington said he's not an expert on striking people with a skateboard
Washington says Rosenbaum seemed erratic in behavior, Rittenhouse was chainsmoking, seemed nervous
after a break, Washington back on stand, Binger clarifying cross examination, Washington asked by defense if Rosenbaum was acting erratic, Washington said he didn't notice, only saw videos of Rosenbaum acting erratic after the fact, not in the moment
Cross exam, questioning Washington about something wrapped around Rosenbaum's face, his shirt.....Washington testifies he didn't see anyone chasing Rittenhouse down Sheridan toward 63rd St.
Kenosha Police Detective Martin Howard now on the stand, was assigned to surveillance in squad cars to watch crowds on the night of Aug 25, went to gas stations to shut off pumps to prevent arson
Says he was also stationed near the interstate off ramps, looking for groups of cars getting off, possibly with license plates removed
He is one of the lead detectives on the homicide case. Now breaking for lunch
Detective back on stand after lunch, testifying about when he went o interview Rittenhouse after he turned himself into the Antioch PD, Detective says Rittenhouse had a few cuts, scraped, bump on the head.
Binger about to show jury another live stream video from TheRundownLive, defense objects to audio from guy recording the video, saying it's editorialization, judge says defendant's statements are allowed, judge now saying about when he studied evidence "last century" jurors
laughed
Binger allowed to play video without audio, until interactions with Rittenhouse. Detective says this is one of the videos they examined for evidence
Defense objects again, judge says audio by guy recording, is hearsay, Judge now talking about Mark Jensen case again 20 years in which he ruled on evidence involving a "letter from the grave"
Defense argues guy heard on audio is not hear to testify and subject to cross examination, Richards says statements on militia is hearsay, jury was asked to leave while they discuss all this, Binger now bringing up judge ruling on not allowing Joseph Rosenbaum's background,
Binger says Rittenhouse didn't witness much related to Rosenbaum, but that defense will put characters on trial.
Richards says videographer proving "my client's state of mind is absurd." Says guy making commentary in video is hearsay
Binger tried to ask if the word militia heard mentioned in the video is the problem.....
Judge allowed a little bit of video with audio to be played, showed officers in a Sheriff's Department armored vehicle thanking armed civilians "we appreciate you guys we really do." Detective Howard says he doesn't know who the officers were
Rittenhouse watching every video, sometimes looking away
Jurors watching videos of the shootings closely, they are glued to monitors
Defense pressing Detective on interviewing Rittenhouse at the Antioch PD, about 1 1/2hrs after the shooting, also about what Rosenbaum had covering his face
breaking now for the day, back tomorrow, will likely resume with cross exam on lead detective
Ready for another day of the #KyleRittenhouseTrial Judge expected to rule on whether or not a juror should be dismissed after they made a joke about the case to a deputy. Prosecution asking they be removed
Prosecutors saying the joke referred to the police shooting of Jacob Blake, with a punch line referring to police shot Blake 7 times because they ran out of bullets....Judge is asking juror to come down, they want to hear his side of it, Prosecutor says it implies bias
Judge now reading notes from jurors.....one juror saying he can't see videos well
#Breaking Juror, older white man has been removed from the jury, dismissed, now 19 jurors hearing the case. Testimony resuming with lead KPD Detective Martin Howard, cross examination by defense
Detective Howard testifies Rosenbaum threw a plastic bag right before he was shot by Rittenhouse, adding that at that time Rosenbaum did not have a weapon on him
Prosecutor Binger going back to FBI infrared video plane surveillance video they say Rosenbaum is in front of Rittenhouse running behind seconds before Rosenbaum was killed
Richie McGinnis up next on the stand, he was right behind Rosenbaum when he was shot and killed, McGinnis then tried to save Rosenbaum
McGinnins works for online site called Daily Caller, owned by Tucker Carlson. He is chief video director, says he works alongside journalists.
says he went to Portland, DC and NYC covering George Floyd protests, witnessed some violence in Portland
McGinnis says when he saw armed individuals it elevated the risk level of the night
McGinnis says he asked how old Kyle was, remembered he said he was an adult. Later McGinnis told Police thought Rittenhouse was in 20s, had a baby face
McGinnis says when coming into contact with confrontation at protests he offers people cigarettes or White Claw
McGinnis getting to part where Rosenbaum was shot, says he was 15 feet behind Rosenbaum in Car Source lot
McGinnis testifies he didn't see Rosenbaum with a weapon, just a bag.
McGinnis back on the stand after lunch, told jurors after the shooting he looked down at his legs to see if he was hit
McGinnis struggling to watch video he recorded while trying to save Rosenbaum's life
Rittenhouse looking down, I have seen him do this before when this graphic video is played.
Defense now questioning McGinnis, clarifying McGinnis never saw Rosenbaum turn around with his back facing Rittenhouse. Prosecution says Rosenbaum shot in back killed him
McGinnis says Rosenbaum lunged for Rittenhouse's gun, and as he was falling, Rittenhouse shot him,
Ryan Balch of Jackson, WI on the stand now, says he served in military, tour in Iraq and Afghanistan
heard about what was happening Kenosha, drove down from Jackson Tuesday, the day of the shootings.
says he wore an AR-15 and body armor, said he wanted to stop looting and arson, but said presence intent was to be a deterrent for crime, he said they didn't have to do anything, seemed to work.
Balch says he did not know Rittenhouse, Binger asking if just being there was enough why come armed, said others could have been armed and wanted to be able to defend himself if need be
Prosecutor Binger told Judge after Balch's testimony was over he plans to call Gaige Grosskreutz Monday and rest Tuesday.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
