Legal eagles, can Kyle Rittenhouse be sued by the surviving family members of his victims?

[tenderfoot]

Thank you in advance.

[Ocelot II]

1. Sure, but if he has no money there would be no point in it.

Even if he carried some kind of liability insurance, that normally doesn't cover intentional acts.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

2. He should have a ton from GoFundMe nt

[Ocelot II]

3. Well, there's that, if he hasn't already spent it all on his legal defense.

[Rorey]

5. I think he'll pull a George Zimmerman

He'll parlay a tragedy he caused into making himself a pile of cash.

I hope he burns in hell.

[jpak]

4. Read that he received a ton of money from RW supporters

A million?

:shrug :

[Ocelot II]

7. If he doesn't spend it all on his legal defense and/or shelter it somehow,

it would be subject to a judgment against him. The liability is certainly there for the intentional torts of battery and assault.

[jpak]

8. True

And prison work doesn't pay much.

[Effete Snob]

11. Other people raised the funds

Rittenhouse doesn’t have two nickels to rub together.

His bail was raised by noted nutbar Lin Wood, who is looking to get it back (although there is some dispute over that with another firm).

[Aristus]

15. Couldn't a civil settlement lead to the garnishing of his wages?

If that is a prospect he would face for the rest of his life, I'm cool with it.

Of course, the jurors could just do the right thing and convict his murderous ass, too...

[Ocelot II]

16. Possibly. In my state, for example, a judgment lien is good for ten years and can be renewed.

It's just that most plaintiffs (and their lawyers) prefer to get the whole judgment at the time of the verdict or settlement instead of waiting for years or getting a little at a time.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. Yes

This should be considered an intentional tort which would make it hard to discharge in bankruptcy

[aeromanKC]

9. OJ comes to mind

He would always have this judgment riding him throughout his life with no pension to fall back on like OJ had.

[lagomorph777]

14. Yup. Got off criminal charges but still lost the wrongful death suit.

[gojoe12]

10. wow

His supporters raised $2 million for his bail in November. I'm shocked! To make things worse he looks so young and innocent sitting in the court room
I guess they know how to play the game

here's the link https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hunting-laws-allowed-kyle-rittenhouse-carry-weapon-during-fatal-shootings-n1280950

[Lettuce Be]

12. Absolutely yes they can

[Submariner]

13. One of the victim's family members

sounded like the type that would somehow end Rittenhouse if he gets off without conviction. I don't think suing would be enough of a penalty for the survivor of the victim.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

18. Gee, that would be too bad...

[Hassin Bin Sober]

17. Absolutely

The burden of proof is lower in a civil trial. The plaintiff only has to prove to a preponderance of the evidence that what the defendant did was illegal.

He is much less likely to skate a judgment in civil court. Just like OJ.

[roamer65]

19. Definitely yes.

A civil case would be the preponderance of evidence, therefore much easier for them to get a judgement in their favor.