Thread by @ajplus

The jury begins deliberations in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial on Tuesday:

▪️ Up to life in prison for killing 2 with AR-style weapon
▪️ Judge dropped charge for possessing weapon as minor
▪️ Jury may consider lesser versions of top charge
▪️ 500 National Guard deployed for verdict

Kyle Rittenhouse faces 5 felony charges:

▪️ 1st-deg reckless homicide (<60 years): must prove "disregard for human life"
▪️ 1st-deg intentional homicide (life): jury can choose lesser charges
▪️ 1st-deg attempted homicide (<60 years)
▪️ 2x endangering safety (<17.5 years each)

Kyle Rittenhouse's defense hired a consultant who helped pick "perfect" jurors in O.J. Simpson's 1995 murder trial, where he was acquitted, says @washingtonpost.

Rittenhouse's jury pool of 20 had 1 person of color. Of the others, 1 was cut for making a joke about Jacob Blake

@washingtonpost Kyle Rittenhouse chose his final jurors by randomly pulling numbers from a raffle drum, dismissing 6 of 18 potentials.

This is usually done by court clerks, say legal experts. An ex-Milwaukee assistant DA said: "I've never seen a judge allow a defendant to draw those names."

Kyle Rittenhouse's mother asked for more donations to his legal fund, which claims it has already raised over $650,000, reports CNN.

Right-wing groups paid $2M for his bond, after which prosecutors say he was seen at a bar flashing white power signs with members of a hate group.