But did he sincerely believe it at the time? It allows someone to use deadly force only if “necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.” And it sets a two-part test for jurors.įirst, they have to decide if Rittenhouse really believed he was in peril. WHAT DOES WISCONSIN LAW SAY ABOUT SELF-DEFENSE? Rittenhouse was photographed in January in a Wisconsin bar with some Proud Boys members, but his attorneys say Rittenhouse had no affiliation or involvement with the group. Schroeder has also blocked prosecutors fromconnecting Rittenhouse to the far-right extremist group the Proud Boys. He ruled it wouldn't be allowed, though he suggested he could reassess that ruling later.
Thomas Binger, the lead prosecutor, said it showed Rittenhouse's mindset as “a teenage vigilante, involving himself in things that don't concern him.” But Judge Bruce Schroeder questioned the relevance of the video to the charges. Prosecutors had hoped to bolster their case by introducing as evidence a brief video taken 15 days before the protest shootings that shows Rittenhouse watching some men exit a CVS pharmacy and commenting that he wished he had his rifle so he could shoot them because prosecutors say he baselessly thought they were shoplifters. Rittenhouse “was the aggressor, there with the intent to violently clash with those opposed to his beliefs,” prosecutors have said. They also argue that Rittenhouse wasn't there to protect businesses but to join other armed counterprotesters with whom he sympathized. They portray him as a wannabe cop who came looking for trouble and fame, and that by bringing a rifle to the late-night protest, he was the primary cause of the deadly encounters. Rittenhouse's trip to Kenosha will be a key part of their case. The defense also wants to introduce evidence that police handed water to Rittenhouse and other rifle-carrying citizens, and said, “We appreciate you guys, we really do." They argue that the friendly greeting contributed to Rittenhouse thinking there was nothing wrong with his presence on the streets that night - and that it undermines any argument that he acted recklessly. Lawsuit Over Kenosha Shootings: Police Enabled Armed Militia The defense has said Rosenbaum and Huber tried to wrest Rittenhouse's rifle away, leading Rittenhouse to fear he would be shot with his own weapon.
They're expected to highlight Rosenbaum's pursuit of Rittenhouse, and Huber and Grosskreutz subsequently coming at him.
And they say the people he shot left him no choice. Rittenhouse's attorneys say he came to Kenosha not to hurt anyone but to protect businesses from damage and looting. Rittenhouse then gets to his feet and leaves the scene. Rittenhouse shoots him, badly injuring Grosskreutz's arm. Seconds later, Gaige Grosskreutz steps toward Rittenhouse holding a pistol. Huber appears to strike him in the head and neck area with a skateboard Rittenhouse shoots Huber, striking him in the heart. Soon after, Rittenhouse is seen running down a street away from the scene with several protesters on his heels. Michael Gravely, District Attorney of Kenosha County, Wis., announced that he will not pursue charges against the police officers that shot Jacob Blake seven times as he walked away, leaving him paralyzed.
0 kommentar(er)
