Thread by @Andrew_Havranek

Good morning! I'm inside the actual courtroom for the #RittenhouseTrial this morning.

We are not allowed to have phones inside the courtroom or take cell phone pics inside.

We are allowed to have our laptops with us, so I'll be live tweeting again today @SpectrumNews1WI

@SpectrumNews1WI We also have @meganmarshalltv here with me today. She's down in the media workroom working to record our video feed.

@SpectrumNews1WI @meganmarshalltv #KyleRittenhouse, his lawyers, and prosecutors are all in the courtroom. Rittenhouse is in a navy blue suit

His mom, Wendy Rittenhouse, is seated two rows behind me. #RittenhouseTrial

@SpectrumNews1WI @meganmarshalltv We're scheduled to start at 9:00. The judge isn't in the courtroom yet, butt everyone else appears to be.

When court starts up for the day, we're expecting to hear the continued testimony of Koerri Washington, the local social media influencer who was on the stand yesterday.

@SpectrumNews1WI @meganmarshalltv Washington was livestreaming the #Kenosha protests last year.

@SpectrumNews1WI @meganmarshalltv Judge Bruce Schroeder just walked in to the courtroom, appears to be just arriving for the day. So it'll likely be a few moments before we get going.

So here's some more recap --

@SpectrumNews1WI @meganmarshalltv Well, before we get to that, #KyleRittenhouse and his mom just shared a brief moment in front of me, whispered a few things to each other.

I didn't hear what was said.

Yesterday, there was also an FBI agent who was called to testify.

By court order, that agent is not able to be video recorded or photoed.

Via the AP pool reporter who was in the courtroom, prosecutors finished questioning him yesterday, but there was a hiccup during cross ex.

Defense lawyer Mark Richards told the judge he believes there was other video taken by the FBI that's no longer available.

Richards said he was incredulous that the FBI could take video that captured alleged homicides and then got rid of that video.

"That is preposterous," Richards added.

The judge balked when prosecutor Binger told him regarding footage from the plane that "the federal government is not under our control"

"I beg your pardon," the judge said, interrupting Binger.

"I don't get this," the judge said. "This is a criminal prosecution ... if there is going to be cloak and dagger stuff. What's going on?"

He later said prosecutors should skip the FBI agent for now, call a different witness, and come back to the issue of the plane later.

So, that is where we are with the FBI agent. I know I've gotten several messages and tweets asking me about it.

Court is getting started for the day. Jury is being called into the courtroom. #RittenhouseTrial

Koerri Washington is back on the stand. #RittenhouseTrial

ADA Binger said we left off yesterday as they were watching parts of his live stream from that night. We're starting off there.

Observations from the courtroom:

There are two large tv screens where the jury is able to watch the videos/see other evidence.

RIttenhouse is watching a monitor on his table with his attorneys. Prosecutors have their own monitor on their table. #RittenhouseTrial

Parts of the livestream they are showing from Koerri Washington show both Anthony Huber and Gaige Grosskreutz while they're at a gas station.

They just heard a few loud noises, which Washington believed was a rock that was thrown on to the roof above the gas pumps. #Rittenhouse

Washington is explaining parts of his video -- he heard there was a fire down the block, so he and some friends took their skateboards down with some fire extinguishers. moments later, police arrived on scene.

ADA Binger is setting up a map for Washington to point out location

That location was a car lot, per Washington, appeared to be a large tire fire there.

Said there was a big police response, about dozen officers, who told them to leave the area, so they went back to the gas station. #RittenhouseTrial

Washington said there was a lot of disinformation going around on the internet and in person about what was happening in #Kenosha during the protests on Aug 25, 2020, including what he said was a false report of a Pizza Hut on fire. #RittenhouseTrial

Ryan Balch, one of the citizen militia members who came to Kenosha during those protests was just identified in Washington's video.

Moments later, #Rittenhhouse runs through the frame carrying a fire extinguisher.

Washington says in the video, "I don't know where he's going to, but let's check it out." #RittenhouseTrial

Said up until this point, he had only taken a mental note in the crowd. "Looked young to me and had gloves on and was smoking cigarettes."

Noted him as interesting figure

At this point, his attention went to Rittenhouse because not much was happening at this point in the night, and Rittenhouse was running by.

He said anyone running by him would have been intriguing to him at this point in the night.

#RittenhouseTrial

Said he wasn't going to follow Rittenhouse, but to see what was happening wherever he was running to

In video, Washington is now on skateboard heading in the direction #KyleRittenhouse was headed.

Now in video shown, ADA Binger is pointing out the person in the middle in the screen without a shirt on in Joseph Rosenbaum, headed in the same direction as #Rittenhouse and Washington #RIttenhouseTrial

Binger is pointing out Rosenbaum, who is behind Washington, who is heading toward the Car Source where #KyleRittenhouse was going

Binger asks the jurors to watch the area in front of the car lot for figures running across screen. First shot fired, and then rapid succession shots

Defense attorney Mark Richards interrupts -- Binger mentions wejust heard Rittenhouse shoot Rosenbaum. Said the first shot was not RIttenhouse, Binger said he's getting to that - and explains itwas Joshua Ziminski.

Four shots from Rittenhouse.

Three more not from Rittenhouse.

Binger asks Washington if he saw any fires at the Car Source when he arrived and recorded what was happening before leaving the area after the shooting.

"No."

(Rittenhouse was initially headed there with fire extinguisher in video) #Rittenhousetrial

Binger wraps up direct examination of Washington.

Corey Chirafisi, one of #KyleRittenhouse's defense attorneys, is doing cross examination. #RittenhouseTrial

Chirafisi asking about Washington's "social media influencer" title. Said it's the easiest way to explain what he does.

Said he doesn't go around and film political issues, has done ComicCons and other events.

Chirafisi asking Washington about two photos of a garbage truck on fire on Aug 23, two nights prior to the Rittenhouse shooting.

Photos are being passed around in the jury.

Chirafisi is focusing now on that Sunday.

Chirafisi asks Washington if he started seeing people from out of town on Sunday

Washington said yes, and they were suspicious because of their clothing and actions

Said the burning garbage truck on Sunday was a "red flag."

Said Monday was worse than Sunday.

Said he can't verify people out on the 23rd (sunday) protecting businesses.

Washington described the 24th as "opportunistic."

#RittenhouseTrial

Jurors seeing video of the destruction of the Department of Corrections building

Observation: Jurors have mostly been attentive to testimony, watching the monitors with the evidence. Most appear to be taking notes

#RittenhouseTrial

Washington said more people were out protecting business on the 24th than the 23rd, and then visibly more people protecting businesses on the 25th.

Chirafisi asks if that led to fewer fires.

Washington said there were fewer protesters that night #RittenhouseTrial

Chirafisi asks if there are more people protecting the Car Source on the 25th, Washington said yes.

Chirafisi now having Washington answer a couple questions about the his live stream from Aug 25, including a dumpster fire.

Washington said on the 25th, more people had fire extinguishers, and were quashing issues when they popped up.

Chirafisi asked if people were getting angry when fires were being put out.

Washington said possibly, "It's hard for me explain for other people and I can't do that"

Chirafisi asking Washington about Binger asking him about a gun being shot at the Ultimate gas station or anyone chasing or attacking anyone.

Washington said no.

Said he saw no one hit anyone with skateboard there, or point a gun at anyone @ gas station #RittenhouseTrial

Observation: Washington has appeared frustrated with Chirafisi's questions

He told Chirafisi it's hard for him to answer questions on what other people were thinking

Later, Chirafisi asked if he understands there are different sizes of rocks. He made a face and said yes

Chirafisi is now asking Washington how he would swing a skateboard to hurt someone.

Washington repeated the question and said it would depend on the situation.

"I'm not an expert on striking people with my skateboard."

Chirafisi: "I'm just asking your opinion on it."

Chirafisi now asking about the part of the video where the shots are fired, and a man yelling "Fu** you" in the video.

Now asks about mental note Washington made of Rittenhouse that night.

Said he made note of people because he had heard people would target Black people, and being a Black man, he wanted to take note of people who stood out.

"People who were acting erratic"

Said that includes Joseph Rosenbaum.

Said he noticed Rittenhouse, who looked young, chain smoking and had gloves on.

Said Rittenhouse "Seemed young and didn't know what going on. Because he was smoking so much, maybe if he didn't have gloves on..." he wouldn't have noted him

Said when Rittenhouse ran by with fire extinguisher, he recognized him from the "rolodex in his head" because of that mental note.

Chirafisi again asks about Rittenhouse's behavior.

"Again, chain smoking is a behavior."

Washington: "I suppose you could say nervous. He seemed nervous in the situation."

"I suppose a lot of people were nervous. It's not a slight at him, it was just a mental note that I took." #RittenhouseTrial

Chirafisi was about to end cross examination. Richards wanted him to ask a few other questions so they conferred.

Washington picked up on mic, he wants to go home.

Chirafisi now showing video of a fire at car source that he said he didn't see.

Washington asks if this was before or after shooting. Said if it was after, he was running for safety #RittenhouseTrial

COURT ON RECESS FOR 15 MINUTES

We're back in session.

I did a quick update you can see now on @SpectrumNews1WI -- Koerri Washington is still on the stand. Prosecutors are finishing some follow up questions after the defense cross examination #RittenhouseTrial

Binger asked some questions, and finished up. Defense attorney Chirafisi is now following up with a photo.

Washington said there is a fire with a pile of wood, and a dumpster, and a man in a blue bandana over his face, identified as Rosenbaum. #RittenhouseTrial

Chirafisi asked if he remembered anyone else using a bandana or shirt to cover their face.

Washington said yes, no, maybe.. wasn't sure.

Washington's testimony is done.

NEW WITNESS: Detective Martin Howard with the Kenosha Police Department.

He was conducting surveillance in unmarked squad cars, made sure pumps were turned off at gas stations to prevent people from getting gas to use to light fires #RittenhouseTrial

Howard is testifying about his responsibilities that night. Said they were getting a lot of 911 calls about things going on.

Said a lot were unfounded, but they would respond to every call.

#RittenhouseTrial

Said at 12:30 a.m. 8/26, he and another detective were assigned to investigate the #Rittenhouse case, and has been one of the primary lead detectives on the case.

Said he combed through the internet and social media to find photos and videos and livestreams of the night

Judge interrupts. Breaking early for lunch because food was delivered early and don't want judges to have "warm, soggy sandwiches"

LUNCH BREAK