Ritttenhouse Trial

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The Rittenhouse trial has begun in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The prosecution is presenting first, but apparently the defense argument will be self-defense. So a 17 year old travels out of state with his rifle to a demonstration because he fears for his life? 

 

On 11/17/2021 at 11:15 PM, MunoRN said:

No, it doesn't, but the law doesn't give you a free pass to intentionally agitate people by a show of aggression so then you can shoot them and claim self-defense.  

To be fair, they were already agitated and showing aggression before he showed up. 

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Will the families be able to initiate wrongful death civil suits?  

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
9 minutes ago, subee said:

Will the families be able to initiate wrongful death civil suits?  

Maybe?

https://www.injurylawyerwi.com/PersonalInjuryLawBlog/WrongfulDeathLawsuitWI

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/wrongful-death-lawsuits-wisconsin.html

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I’m happy that justice has been served this time. World is a better place without two criminals anyway. Nobody complained about judiciary system when family of fentanyl overdose victim got paid millions and innocent police officer sent to prison…

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9 hours ago, subee said:

Will the families be able to initiate wrongful death civil suits?  

I'm sure they'll try.  The problem for them will be finding a attorney who wants to take a big risk on eventually getting paid.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.
18 hours ago, Daisy4RN said:

Justice was served today. If it wasn’t already apparent ( from the video footage) that this was self defense the prosecutor's own witness announced it was when he testified. 

“The only people who would be upset are those who have a hidden agenda outside the rule of law.” (Leo Terrell, civil rights attorney)

https://www.foxnews.com/media/leo-terrell-praises-rittenhouse-jury-after-not-guilty-verdict-im-proud-as-a-civil-rights-attorney

Just out of curiosity, do you think there should be any consequences for the acquitted: a minor illegally in possession of a firearm, who traveled across state lines and violated a curfew? I mean, other attaining fame and possible commercial endorsements? 

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
13 hours ago, toomuchbaloney said:

Maybe?

https://www.injurylawyerwi.com/PersonalInjuryLawBlog/WrongfulDeathLawsuitWI

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/wrongful-death-lawsuits-wisconsin.html

Thank you.  I read this morning that Huber's family has already filed a suit.  The thought that all three families will file has helped me console me for this injustice.  Perhaps his mother can be included this time around as an accessory.

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4 hours ago, nursej22 said:

Just out of curiosity, do you think there should be any consequences for the acquitted: a minor illegally in possession of a firearm, who traveled across state lines…

Rittenhouse’s possession of a firearm in this case was not illegal, nor is traveling across state lines in the US.

 

”Rittenhouse attorneys Mark Richards and Corey Chirafisi pointed to an exception in the law that they said allows minors to possess shotguns and rifles as long as they’re not short-barreled.

Assistant District Attorney James Kraus argued that the exception renders the state’s prohibition on minors possessing dangerous weapons meaningless. But when he acknowledged that Rittenhouse’s rifle’s barrel was longer than 16 inches, the minimum barrel length allowed under state law, Schroeder dismissed the charge.”

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/explainer-judge-drop-rittenhouse-gun-charge-81285031

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4 hours ago, nursej22 said:

Just out of curiosity, do you think there should be any consequences for the acquitted: a minor illegally in possession of a firearm, who traveled across state lines and violated a curfew? I mean, other attaining fame and possible commercial endorsements? 

It really doesn’t matter what any of us think, it matters what the law states regarding the facts of this case. The judge dismissed the charge of Rittenhouse carrying an illegal weapon bc according to the law he wasn’t. He also did not carry said weapon across state lines even though that and other mis/disinformation was freely flying around on certain “news” channels. 
That said, I agree that I also would not want my kid in that situation and it was probably not the best choice for him to be there but that (bad judgement?) does not negate his right to self defense. The man who pointed the gun in his face was carrying that gun illegally however. The jurors had ALL the evidence and found it was self defense, he had his day in court.

What I find very irresponsible is the news media, and certain Congress peoples accounts of the situation (before and after) who have stated things that are false (ie no evidence) based only on speculation and/or to keep their narrative/agenda going. Much like they did regarding the Sandman case. Disgusting and deplorable, IMO. Whether intentional or not, it only causes further divisions in our Country when people don’t have the full truth. Remember, this entire situation started by the media “reporting”  that an unarmed black man was shot by police (even though the facts were he ignored police commands and was reaching for a knife),then riots, looting, burning broke out, and people felt the need to defend their community. Maybe we should hold our media and elected officials more accountable. Congress certainly had no problem putting up a wall and calling the national guard to protect themselves after Jan 6. Why not in Kenosha and other cities as well?

 

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/kyle-rittenhouse-verdict-biased-trial-coverage-msnbc-cnn

https://jonathanturley.org/2021/11/14/was-rittenhouses-possession-of-the-ar-15-unlawful/

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40 minutes ago, Daisy4RN said:

Maybe we should hold our media and elected officials more accountable.

I quite agree and there's some attempt at holding politicians accountable for dangerous rhetoric and language right now.  The House committee investigating the events of January 6 will certainly highlight some very inappropriate language and behavior from elected officials.  The reluctance to investigate and punish wrong doing leading up to and including that violent attack on the Capitol in January is entirely partisan.  That most definitely sends the message that republican political leadership is not interested in accountability at all. As does the refusal of republican political leadership to address, acknowledge or reprimand inappropriate language and conduct from members like Gosar, Boebert or Greene. There's no accountability. 

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1 hour ago, InHisImage said:

Rittenhouse’s possession of a firearm in this case was not illegal, nor is traveling across state lines in the US.

Rittenhouse was not old enough to purchase or carry the weapon that he used to kill two people.  

Quote

Antioch police interviewed the man's stepfather, who said when he had learned about the gun purchased for Rittenhouse, he refused to allow the rifle to be kept anywhere other than his locked safe in Kenosha because he knew Rittenhouse was only 17.

Kyle Rittenhouse's surrender to hometown cops, path of AR-15 rifle used in Kenosha

Quote

The assault-style rifle used in the shooting was purchased by an 18-year-old friend of Rittenhouse, and police found it in the trunk of the friend's car later that morning. Neither Rittenhouse nor his mother had a permit for a gun in Illinois.

I think the prosecution failed to fully describe this in the evidence and that played a part in the verdicts. 

948.60  Possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.

(1)  In this section, “dangerous weapon" means any firearm, loaded or unloaded; any electric weapon, as defined in s. 941.295 (1c) (a); metallic knuckles or knuckles of any substance which could be put to the same use with the same or similar effect as metallic knuckles; a nunchaku or any similar weapon consisting of 2 sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a length of rope, chain, wire or leather; a cestus or similar material weighted with metal or other substance and worn on the hand; a shuriken or any similar pointed star-like object intended to injure a person when thrown; or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted ends.

(2) (a) Any person under 18 years of age who possesses or goes armed with a dangerous weapon is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/948/55

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1 hour ago, Daisy4RN said:

It really doesn’t matter what any of us think, it matters what the law states regarding the facts of this case. The judge dismissed the charge of Rittenhouse carrying an illegal weapon bc according to the law he wasn’t. He also did not carry said weapon across state lines even though that and other mis/disinformation was freely flying around on certain “news” channels. 
That said, I agree that I also would not want my kid in that situation and it was probably not the best choice for him to be there but that (bad judgement?) does not negate his right to self defense. The man who pointed the gun in his face was carrying that gun illegally however. The jurors had ALL the evidence and found it was self defense, he had his day in court.

What I find very irresponsible is the news media, and certain Congress peoples accounts of the situation (before and after) who have stated things that are false (ie no evidence) based only on speculation and/or to keep their narrative/agenda going. Much like they did regarding the Sandman case. Disgusting and deplorable, IMO. Whether intentional or not, it only causes further divisions in our Country when people don’t have the full truth. Remember, this entire situation started by the media “reporting”  that an unarmed black man was shot by police (even though the facts were he ignored police commands and was reaching for a knife),then riots, looting, burning broke out, and people felt the need to defend their community. Maybe we should hold our media and elected officials more accountable. Congress certainly had no problem putting up a wall and calling the national guard to protect themselves after Jan 6. Why not in Kenosha and other cities as well?

 

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/kyle-rittenhouse-verdict-biased-trial-coverage-msnbc-cnn

https://jonathanturley.org/2021/11/14/was-rittenhouses-possession-of-the-ar-15-unlawful/

Did any healthcare workers arrive at the scene of the riot with shotguns?  This is a 17 year old child, driven in harm's way by his mommy, who thought a shotgun was part of his first aid kit.  It's ludicrous to state that he was there to help.  It's the difference between robbery and armed robbery and that's why they are separate charges.  When he packed the gun, he planned on using it or he wouldn't have brought it with him.  I hope the civil courts keep these two tied up for years.

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