Rittenhouse Defense Alleges Shooting Victims Were 'Rioters'

KENOSHA, WI — Defense attorneys representing accused Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse alleged that several protesters shot during August 2020 protests were "rioters" after prosecutors filed a motion to bar the defense from calling the victims "rioters" and looters" in the upcoming trial in November.

Kenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder will review the motion Monday, according to court records. Jury selection will begin Nov. 1.

Rittenhouse, 18, faces multiple felony charges in the shooting and killing of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and the wounding Gaige Grosskreutz amid days of protests last year. Protests were sparked after the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by a white police officer.

Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Assistant district attorneys Thomas Binger and James Kraus filed the motion on Oct. 11 to ban defense attorneys from referring to Rosenbaum, Grosskreutz and Huber as "rioters," "looters" or "arsonists," according to a defense statement.

Defense attorneys Mark Richards and Corey Chirafisi alleged that the three men were not afforded the same constitutional protections as protesters. The attorneys referred to the three men as "rioters" and said they shouldn't be prohibited from using the term.

The attorneys alleged that Rosenbaum made threatening statements, that Grosskreutz was in possession of an illegal firearm and that Huber refused to leave the downtown Kenosha area after being shot with pepper balls on Aug. 25.

Schroeder denied a request on Oct. 5 by Rittenhouse's defense to dismiss the charge that he was carrying a gun illegally at protests. The judge also denied prosecutors' motions to use Rittenhouse's meeting with the far right group the Proud Boys as evidence of his mindset.

See Also:

• Kyle Rittenhouse's Request To Buck Illegal Weapon Charge Denied
• Man Behind 'Call To Arms' Post Wants Off Rittenhouse Witness List