The defense is giving its closing arguments in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.
Attorney Mark Richards said his client is innocent and that the prosecution’s case has “blown up.”
Rittenhouse is accused of killing two men and injuring a paramedic in what he calls self-defense. Richards said the people Rittenhouse shot and killed were the aggressors and his client only came to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to help people and protect businesses. He faces reckless and intentional homicide charges and could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
Before that, in today’s arguments Prosecutor Thomas Binger says Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse instigated the violence by bringing a rifle to the protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
Closing arguments got underway in Kenosha County today in the trial of Rittenhouse who is claiming self-defense in the killing of two men and the wounding of another during the protests last year.
Meanwhile, Kenosha, Madison and several cities across Wisconsin are hoping any protests relating to the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict remain peaceful.
Once closing arguments wrap up and the jury receives its instructions from the judge they will begin deliberating. Governor Tony Evers has authorized around 500 National Guard troops to be on standby to support local law enforcement should any protest get out of control.
