Kyle Rittenhouse trial: Anger as judge who banned word ‘victims’ lets witness call protesters ‘antifa’

Judge Bruce Schroeder, who is overseeing the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, told jurors at the end of Wednesday that he expects the proceedings to wrap up early next week.

“I have just discussed the matter with the lawyers, and I’m very confident that we will finish by Tuesday as I asked you about a couple of weeks ago,” Judge Schroeder said. “And there is a bare chance, I don’t want to get your hopes up, but there is a chance we can finish on Monday. And that’s the best of my information. It isn’t a promise, but I think that’s very realistic.”

Kyle Rittenhouse delivered emotional testimony on the stand on Wednesday, at times breaking down into tears. If you missed it, here’s a breakdown of what he said:

The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse resumed at about 10am on Thursday. The defence said it will call three witnesses, starting with an expert named Dr John Black, but has not yet explained what his testimony will discuss.

Judge Bruce Schroeder has called in the jury, and the defence has called its first witness: John Black, a former sergeant in the US military and use-of-force expert. Mr Rittenhouse’s lawyers are currently questioning him about his experience examining videos.

Day 8 of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial is underway. You can watch it live here:

The defence and prosecutors are wrangling over the scope of Dr John Black’s testimony, with the disagreement growing increasingly heated.

The prosecutor, Thomas Binger, says Judge Bruce Schroeder signed an order limiting Dr Black’s testimony to the timing of Mr Rittenhouse’s gunshots, but the defence is arguing he should be allowed to go beyond that. In making his case, Mr Binger brought up the scolding he took from Judge Schroeder on Wednesday.

“I have to say, your honor, yesterday I was the target of your ire for disregarding your orders,” Mr Binger said. “Today the defense is disregarding your order.”

Today prosecutors have accused Judge Bruce Schroeder of a double standard when it comes to violating his orders – offering leniency to the defence, they say, while angrily upbraiding the prosecution.

“I have to say, your honor, yesterday I was the target of your ire for disregarding your orders,” prosecutor Thomas Binger told the judge. “Today the defense is disregarding your order.”

For context, here’s the tongue-lashing that Mr Binger is referring to:

According to Chicago Tribune reporter Stacy St Clair, Judge Bruce Schroeder now hopes to finish the trial tomorrow – because he’d previously gotten the days of the week mixed up.

“Judge is on the bench for the Kyle Rittenhouse trial,” Ms St Clair tweeted. “Judge thought yesterday was Thursday, so he says plans for closings on Monday maybe scrapped. He says he’d like to see the case wrapped up tomorrow.”

The defence’s first witness for today, Dr John Black, is speaking again after a disagreement over the scope of his testimony.

Dr Black, a use-of-force expert and former sergeant in the US military, is now explaining video footage of the night of the shootings in minute detail.

The defence has finished questioning its first witness, Dr John Black.

Dr Black outlined – in minute detail – the gaps in time between Kyle Rittenhouse’s gunshots. He also discussed the limitations of video footage for capturing human experience.

“Video has great value, but it is not the experience or the perception of the people involved in the event,” Dr Black said. “It can’t be.”