Kyle's Wild Ride: Breaking Laws Left And Right

how many laws did kyle break

Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old American, shot three men in Kenosha, Wisconsin, amid protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse was charged with multiple criminal counts, including homicide, but claimed self-defence and was acquitted of all charges. This paragraph will explore the number of laws he broke and the implications of his actions and subsequent acquittal.

Characteristics Values
Name Kyle Rittenhouse
Age 17
Location Kenosha, Wisconsin
Date August 2020
Victims 3
Fatalities 2
Weapons AR-15 style rifle
Charges Homicide, attempted homicide, reckless endangerment
Verdict Not guilty on all charges
Laws Broken None, according to the jury

lawshun

Kyle Rittenhouse's possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number

On the night of August 25, 2020, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was armed with an AR-15 style rifle with an obliterated serial number. Rittenhouse had travelled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, from Antioch, Illinois, to help protect local businesses from protestors following the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer.

Rittenhouse's possession of the firearm was in violation of a Wisconsin statute that says minors cannot possess dangerous weapons. Rittenhouse was charged by Kenosha County prosecutors with multiple criminal counts, including unlawful possession of a firearm. However, the judge in Rittenhouse's homicide trial dismissed the gun possession charge after defence lawyers argued that he did not violate the state statute due to his age and the length of the barrel of his rifle.

The rifle's barrel was longer than 16 inches, the minimum length allowed under state law. Rittenhouse's attorneys also pointed to an exception in the law that allows minors to possess shotguns and rifles as long as they are not short-barrelled.

The dismissal of the gun possession charge was significant as it removed a potential avenue for the jury to convict Rittenhouse of a lesser crime if they were persuaded by his self-defence claims but agreed that he made a poor decision to carry a rifle that night.

lawshun

Kyle Rittenhouse's possession of a firearm as a minor

Kyle Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time of the shootings, was initially charged with the possession of a dangerous weapon as a minor. This was a misdemeanor charge, which was punishable by a maximum of nine months in jail.

Rittenhouse's lawyers argued that the length of the barrel on his rifle was too long to be in violation of a Wisconsin statute that prohibits minors from possessing dangerous weapons. The rifle Rittenhouse used was a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 with a 16-inch-long barrel. They also argued that the statute did not apply to Rittenhouse because it only applies to minors carrying a rifle or shotgun if they are not in compliance with at least one additional statute, such as the regulation of "hunting and use of firearms by persons under 16 years of age" or the prohibition of rifles with barrels less than 16 inches long.

The judge in Rittenhouse's homicide trial, Bruce Schroeder, dismissed the gun possession charge, agreeing with the defense that Rittenhouse did not violate the state statute in question because of his age and the length of the barrel of his rifle. This ruling was made shortly before closing statements, resolving a complex legal debate over the Wisconsin statute.

The dismissal of the gun possession charge meant that the jury could no longer consider this charge and potentially convict Rittenhouse of a lesser crime if they were persuaded by his self-defense claims but agreed that he made a poor decision to carry a rifle.

lawshun

Kyle Rittenhouse's driving without a license

Kyle Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time, drove himself to Kenosha, Wisconsin, from his residence in Antioch, Illinois, on August 24, 2020, the day before he shot and killed two men at a protest. Rittenhouse did not have a driver's license and was cited for driving without one.

Rittenhouse testified that he drove to Kenosha the day before the shooting to work at his job at the RecPlex in nearby Pleasant Prairie. After work, he drove to his friend Dominick Black's house in Kenosha, where he spent the night. Rittenhouse had begun working as a lifeguard at the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex in Kenosha County in mid-August 2020 and would drive to work from Antioch each day, despite not having a driver's license.

The rifle that Rittenhouse used in the shootings was already in Wisconsin and was stored at Black's house in Kenosha. On August 25, 2020, Rittenhouse retrieved the gun from Black's basement before they both headed to downtown Kenosha with their rifles to help guard a used car dealership that had been damaged by a fire during a previous protest. Later that day, Rittenhouse shot three men, killing two of them and injuring the third.

Rittenhouse returned to his residence in Illinois after the shootings, but it is unclear why he did not drive himself. He testified that his car was parked at Black's stepfather's house, and Black drove them back to Antioch. Upon arriving in Antioch, Rittenhouse told his mother what had happened, and she took him to the local police station to turn himself in.

lawshun

Kyle Rittenhouse's drug possession and intent to distribute

There were rumours circulating on Twitter that Kyle Rittenhouse had a criminal record, including a charge of possession of drugs. However, this was proven to be false, as the criminal record in question was tied to a 31-year-old man with the same name.

Rittenhouse was initially charged with underage possession of a dangerous weapon, but this charge was dismissed by the judge. Rittenhouse was 17 at the time of the shootings, and the judge ruled that a hunting exemption meant Wisconsin law did not clearly bar him from carrying the weapon.

In addition to the underage possession charge, Rittenhouse was also charged with five felony counts: first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, and two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety. He was acquitted of all charges.

lawshun

Kyle Rittenhouse's reckless endangerment

Kyle Rittenhouse was initially charged with five felonies and a misdemeanor weapons charge. The weapons charge was dismissed by the judge, and the jury acquitted Rittenhouse of the five felonies.

One of the five felony charges was first-degree reckless endangerment, which was related to an unidentified man that prosecutors and defense attorneys referred to as "Jump Kick Man". Videos and photos from 25 August 2020 show a man dressed in a hoodie, white jeans, and a hat running up to Rittenhouse after the teenager fell to the ground. "Jump Kick Man" jumped in the air and aimed a kick at Rittenhouse's head. Rittenhouse fired two shots at the man but missed. Rittenhouse testified that he feared the man could seriously injure or even kill him.

The charge of first-degree reckless endangerment carries a maximum sentence of 12.5 years in prison. The use of a dangerous weapon modifier could add up to five additional years.

In addition to the felony charge of first-degree reckless endangerment, Rittenhouse also faced a felony charge of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, which was related to the same incident with "Jump Kick Man". This charge carries the same maximum sentence as the first-degree reckless endangerment charge.

Frequently asked questions

Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges, including homicide, attempted homicide, and reckless endangerment. However, there is ongoing debate about whether he broke the law, with some arguing that he committed crimes such as driving without a license and possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all criminal charges and is not facing any legal consequences for the shootings. However, he is currently facing two civil lawsuits related to the incident.

Public sentiment and media coverage of the shootings were highly polarized and politicized. Some view Rittenhouse as a hero who defended his community and protected businesses, while others believe he committed murder and should be held accountable.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment