Shortly before half past seven on Friday night, the news came that 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse has been acquitted of murder, on all counts. It reports BBC.
Rittenhouse was charged with killing two protesters, as well as injuring a third, with a semi-automatic rifle. The incident happened in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020.
Controversial and divided
With more than three days of deliberation, the jury, which consisted of seven women and five men, came to a decision.
During the announcement, Rittenhouse was observed crying.
BREAKING TOGETHER: During the announcement of the verdict, Rittenhouse is observed crying with the defender by his side. Photo: AP
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The trial has been hotly debated and divided. Rittenhouse’s defender has consistently claimed he acted in self-defense.
Prosecutors, however, have claimed that Rittenhouse was looking for problems that night.
On that fateful day, Rittenhouse drove from his home in Illinois to Kenosha, where there were demonstrations and riots after a black man was shot by police.
Rittenhouse was 17 years old when he killed 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum, 26-year-old Anthony Huber and injured 27-year-old Gaige Grosskreutz.
Sent out the National Guard
Black Lives Matter supporters have described Rittenhouse as a supporter of white supremacy, while conservatives have described him as a patriot who exercised his right to bear arms during riots.
National Guard troops have now been sent to the city for fear of unrest.
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