Kyle Rittenhouse trial: Anger as judge who banned word ‘victims’ lets witness call protesters ‘antifa’
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The trial of accused killer Kyle Rittenhouse resumed Thursday morning after an especially chaotic day in court.
Today the defence plans to introduce a number of new witnesses, including a doctor and a police officer.
Mr Rittenhouse, 18, has been charged with homicide in the deaths of two men he shot during a night of protests and riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin last year – Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26. He also shot a third man, Gauge Grosskreutz, who was wounded but survived.
Yesterday, Mr Rittenhouse broke down crying during emotional testimony in which he insisted he acted in self-defense and “didn’t do anything wrong.”
In another dramatic moment, his lawyers motioned to declare a mistrial, citing “prosecutorial misconduct.” The defence accused prosecutors of violating Mr Rittenhouse’s rights by mentioning his silence in the wake of the 25 August 2020 shootings and by referencing a video that was previously deemed inadmissible.
If the motion is granted, Mr Rittenhouse cannot be tried again for the same crimes.
If Mr Rittenhouse is convicted, he could face life in prison.
Video has played important role in Rittenhouse trial
The reality or unreality of video footage has played an important role in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse.
On Thursday, defence witness Dr John Black emphasized that no video can capture events exactly as they occurred, or exactly as people experienced them.
This comes a day after Judge Bruce Schroeder asked whether the “pinch and zoom” feature on Apple products may distort video footage. Here’s a look at what he said:
Judge sides with Kyle Rittenhouse attorneys on bizarre claims about iPad pinch zoom
Attorneys try to block zoomed-in recording by claiming Apple shows ‘what it thinks is there’
Reporter who filmed Kenosha unrest says Rittenhouse tried to ‘deescalate’ violence
The defence is now questioning Frank Hernandez, a reporter for the conservative news site Real America’s Voice, who recorded videos of the night of the shootings.
Mr Hernandez says on that night of unrest in Kenosha, “rioters” tried to provoke a conflict with Kyle Rittenhouse and others guarding a local business, and that the teen tried to “deescalate the situation.”
Mr Hernandez also says one of Mr Rittenhouse’s victims, Joseph Rosenbaum, was being “physically aggressive” and led a violent charge into a gas station.
Witness uses terms ‘rioters’ and ‘antifa,’ outraging some observers
Defence witness Frank Hernandez has referred to protesters on the night of the shootings as “rioters” and “antifa,” language that some have called politically charged.
“This witness is saying ‘riot’ constantly and ‘antifa,’” tweeted MSNBC commentator and former New York City mayoral candidate Maya Wiley. “This is ideology that the judge has enabled to be used in the #Rittenhouse trial.”
As judge oversees dramatic courtroom, some call for his removal
Over the course of Kyle Rittenhouse’s trial, Judge Bruce Schroeder has been involved in a number of moments that raised eyebrows – from his harsh scolding of the prosecutors to his apparent reading of a cookie catalogue. As the trial approaches its end, some are calling for his removal.
“The judge is CLEARLY BIASED!!!!!!” Tiffany Cross, the host of The Cross Connection on MSNBC, tweeted on Wednesday.
Read more here:
Pundit leads calls for removal of Rittenhouse judge over chaotic courtroom
‘The judge is clearly biased,’ Tiffany Cross tweeted
Judge had previously barred use of word ‘victims'
Judge Bruce Schroeder, who has not objected to a defence witness’s use of the words “antifa” and “rioters” to describe protesters, had previously banned lawyers from using the word “victims” to describe Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber – arguing that the term was too “loaded.”
Here’s a look back at what he said:
Rittenhouse judge says lawyers cannot call fatally shot people ‘victims’
‘The word ‘victim’ is a loaded, loaded word. And I think ‘alleged victim’ is a cousin to it,’ judge argues
Kyle Rittenhouse trial: Five of the most bizarre moments so far
The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse has featured some strange moments, from the teen shooter’s sobbing on the witness stand to Judge Schroeder’s reading of a cookie catalogue. Here’s a look at what we’ve seen so far:
Five of the most bizarre moments from the chaotic Kyle Rittenhouse trial
Rittenhouse’s homicide trial is expected to wrap up early next week in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Court takes extended break as lawyers huddle
The sound on live feeds of the trial has been cut, and lawyers on both sides of the case appear to be taking a prolonged time-out. On the defence side, Mr Rittenhouse and his lawyers have been huddling around a computer screen.
Watch the trial live here:
Trial resumes as prosecutor questions Dr Black
Testimony in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse has resumed, with prosecutor Thomas Binger questioning the video expert Dr John Black.
Mr Binger is currently asking Dr Black about the brightness and contrast of one video of the night of the shootings.
Court takes break after defence finishes questioning witness
The defence has finished questioning video expert Dr John Black, and Judge Schroeder has called a 10-15 minute break.
Lawyers on both the defence and the prosecution asked Dr Black in painstaking detail about brightness and contrast adjustments made on the footage.
The trial appears to be heading for a conclusion on Monday.
Court resumes as defence questions final witness
Testimony has once again resumed, with the defence questioning a final witness – an additional video expert discussing pixel “interpolation.”
Mr Rittenhouse’s lawyers say that after this witness they are prepared to rest.