Kara Sears
Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges after killing two people and injuring a third during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Rittenhouse claimed self-defence, and a jury agreed. The case has sparked debate about the consequences of the verdict and whether Rittenhouse broke the law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Acquitted of all charges | Yes |
| Broke the law | No |
| Acquittal legally justified | Yes |
| Acquittal dangerous | Yes |
| Self-defence claims | Yes |
| Used deadly force | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Rittenhouse was a minor and could not legally buy a gun
Kyle Rittenhouse was a minor and could not legally buy a gun. He got it through an illegal straw purchase. However, Judge Bruce Schroder ruled that a hunting exemption meant Wisconsin law did not clearly bar Rittenhouse from carrying the weapon that night, and so he threw out a related weapons charge. Rittenhouse was acquitted on all counts, with the jury agreeing that all three shootings were acts of self-defence.
Rittenhouse's acquittal has been deemed legally justified, but its consequences are considered terrible. One commentator said: "It can be simultaneously true that Rittenhouse’s acquittal was legally justified and that its consequences will be terrible. The legal question, addressed at trial, was not the same as the political debate happening on TV and online".
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Rittenhouse was acquitted on all counts
Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted on all counts. As a minor, Rittenhouse could not legally buy the gun he used to kill 36-year-old Jacob Rosenbaum and 26-year-old Anthony Huber. He obtained the gun through an illegal straw purchase. However, Judge Bruce Schroder ruled that a hunting exemption meant Wisconsin law did not clearly bar Rittenhouse from carrying the weapon that night, and so he threw out a related weapons charge. Under Wisconsin law, neither the circumstances of how Rittenhouse got the rifle, nor the recklessness he showed in carrying it that night, bore on his self-defence claims. Rittenhouse's acquittal may make legal sense, but it has been deemed dangerous by some.
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Rittenhouse was an Illinois resident
Kyle Rittenhouse, an Illinois resident, was acquitted of all charges after shooting and killing two people and injuring another. Rittenhouse was 17 at the time of the incident and had travelled to Wisconsin, where the shooting took place. Rittenhouse was armed with an AR-15 style rifle, which he obtained through an illegal straw purchase. Although Rittenhouse was a minor and could not legally buy such a gun, Judge Bruce Schroder ruled that a hunting exemption meant Wisconsin law did not clearly bar Rittenhouse from carrying the weapon. Wisconsin law also allows people to use deadly force if they "reasonably believe" it is "necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm". Rittenhouse claimed self-defence, and the jury agreed, acquitting him on all counts. While Rittenhouse's acquittal may have been legally justified, many have criticised the verdict as dangerous.
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Rittenhouse's acquittal was legally justified
Kyle Rittenhouse's acquittal was legally justified. Rittenhouse was charged with the murder of two men, Jacob Rosebaum and Anthony Huber, but claimed self-defence. A jury agreed, acquitting him on all counts. Wisconsin law allows people to use deadly force if they "reasonably believe" it is "necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm". Rittenhouse testified that Rosenbaum had threatened to cut out his heart and then chased him, apparently trying to grab his gun. Rittenhouse shot Rosenbaum four times and then fled. Huber pursued him, hitting him with a skateboard and trying to disarm him. Rittenhouse shot Huber in the chest.
Although Rittenhouse was a minor and could not legally buy the gun he used, Judge Bruce Schroder ruled that a hunting exemption meant Wisconsin law did not clearly bar Rittenhouse from carrying the weapon that night, and so he threw out a related weapons charge. Under Wisconsin law, neither the circumstances of how Rittenhouse got the rifle, nor the recklessness he showed in carrying it that night, bore on his self-defence claims.
Rittenhouse's acquittal may make legal sense, but it has been criticised as dangerous.
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Rittenhouse's acquittal may make legal sense, but it's dangerous
Kyle Rittenhouse's acquittal may make legal sense, but it's dangerous. Rittenhouse, a minor, could not legally buy the gun he used to kill 36-year-old Jacob Rosebaum and 26-year-old Anthony Huber. He got it through an illegal straw purchase. However, Judge Bruce Schroder ruled that a hunting exemption meant Wisconsin law did not clearly bar Rittenhouse from carrying the weapon that night, and so he threw out a related weapons charge.
Rittenhouse said all three shootings were acts of self-defence. A jury agreed, acquitting him on all counts. Wisconsin law allows people to use deadly force if they "reasonably believe" it is "necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm". Rosenbaum, a mentally ill man released from prison earlier that day, had chased Rittenhouse and apparently tried to grab his gun, after, Rittenhouse testified, threatening to cut out his heart. Rittenhouse shot him four times. Rittenhouse fled, and Huber, pursuing him, hit him with a skateboard and tried to disarm him. Rittenhouse shot Huber in the chest.
It can be simultaneously true that Rittenhouse's acquittal was legally justified and that its consequences will be terrible. The legal question, addressed at trial, was not the same as the political debate happening on TV and online.
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Frequently asked questions
Rittenhouse was acquitted on all counts, meaning he was found not guilty of breaking the law.
Rittenhouse was a minor and could not legally buy the gun himself. He obtained it through an illegal straw purchase.
The legal question was whether Rittenhouse's actions were justified as self-defence.
Wisconsin law allows people to use deadly force if they "reasonably believe" it is "necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm".
