Kyle Rittenhouse Acquitted On All Charges Related To Killing Of Two Men

Kyle Rittenhouse, the 18-year-old who fatally shot two men and wounded many others during a Black Lives Matter protest last year, has been acquitted.

Rittenhouse attempted to excuse his actions by claiming he was acting in self-defense during the protest, which occurred in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.

“So many people look at this case and they see what they want to see,” said Thomas Binger, the prosecutor in the trial.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) commented on the verdict, claiming it shows “armed vigilantes” that “you can break the law, carry around weapons built for a military, shoot and kill people, and get away with it.”

President Joe Biden even weighed in on the matter, predicting that the acquittal would “leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included.”

Biden told reporters: “I stand by what the jury has concluded. The jury system works, and we have to abide by it.”

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) had a different take, claiming “justice has been served.”

Rebecca Kleefisch, the leading Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, added: “the justice system worked.” She went on to call the prosecution “a complete disgrace.”

Five hundred Wisconsin Army National Guard troops were dispatched by Gov. Tony Evers (D) in anticipation of the verdict. Only a few demonstrators showed up.

Mark Richards, a defense lawyer, said Rittenhouse left the court immediately after the acquittal: “He’s relieved, and he looks forward to getting on with his life.”

Article by Elizabeth Letsou