Kyle Rittenhouse cleared of all charges in Kenosha shootings

[George II]

Source: Associated Press

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Kyle Rittenhouse has been acquitted of all charges after pleading self-defense in the deadly Kenosha, Wisconsin, shootings that became a flashpoint in the nation’s debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice.

The jury came back with its verdict after close to 3 1/2 days of deliberation.

Rittenhouse, 18, could have gotten life in prison if found guilty of the most serious charge against him.

He was charged with homicide, attempted homicide and recklessly endangering safety for killing two men and wounding a third with an AR-style semi-automatic rifle.

The shootings took place during a night of protests over police violence against Black people in the tumultuous summer of 2020. Rittenhouse is white, as were those he shot. The jury appeared to be overwhelmingly white.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-business-wisconsin-homicide-kenosha-27f812ba532d65c044617483c915e4de

---

Source updated. NOT guilty. One of the worst verdicts in my lifetime.

[speaktruthtopower]

1. Watch CourtTV Online

they're on top of this.

[George II]

3. Thanks. This is what I was watching earlier this week....

&ab_channel=Law%26CrimeNetwork

[H2Oart]

7. Uggg

Not guilty all counts….. sorry justice

[DENVERPOPS]

145. Question

Can't the prosecutors file an appeal????????/

[MichMan]

146. On what grounds?

[Aristus]

162. Judicial misconduct?

n/t

[Slammer]

184. judicial misconduct

Yeah, they should definitely look into judicial misconduct since the jury was instructed that it couldn't even consider convicting him on the one charge he was clearly guilty of: being underage while using that type of gun.

They had him on videotape breaking that law.

Regardless of whether it was 'self-defense' or not, the kid under the law had no right to be bearing that firearm.

I'd like some authority to ask the judge what grounds he used to not let the jury consider convicting the kid for breaking that law.

And since the jury wasn't allowed to look into convicting the kid under that law, it wouldn't be double jeopardy to try him in the future for having broken that law.

[Aerator]

165. The prosecutors and Defense will be sitting at a bar tonight high five each other

There was never a desire to prosecute ,just all for show .

[treestar]

176. No appeals from an acquittal

[TexasBushwhacker]

177. Double jeopardy, so no

I suppose federal civil rights charges could be brought.

This just makes me sick.

[sarisataka]

179. No, the 5th Amendment prohibits such.

Once a jury says not guilty the matter is closed, criminally.

[DENVERPOPS]

189. But if he is found guilty

the defendant can appeal it repeatedly ????????????

[sarisataka]

190. Yes, double jeopardy is pretty basic

And taught in grade school- the government can't put you repeatedly on trial until they get the verdict they want.

A convicted person however may appeal all the way to SCOTUS

[COL Mustard]

182. I'm Not A Lawyer, But No

In this country, you can't appeal an acquittal. He just walks. Now, can the Feds try him on civil rights violations? Maybe. I'll defer to the actual attorneys here.

But IMHO the little shit got away with murder.

[DENVERPOPS]

198. Getting away with murder

seems to be a re-occurring theme across this nation.............

In Aurora Colorado, the three Cops and two Medics aren't getting off so easily, but then their trials haven't even started yet..........

(for all practical purposes, they, without question, quite literally EUTHANIZED an innocent black kid with an OVERDOSE of Ketamine.
The kid was just walking down the street and it's all crystal clear on video......with audio.)

[Harker]

2. The defense team look like they're at a funeral. n/t

[geardaddy]

22. You mean the prosecution?

[Harker]

28. I was referring to the pre-verdict appearance of the defense lawyers.

They were not confident.

[geardaddy]

31. Oh, ok.

Thanks for the clarification.

[Harker]

65. Thanks for asking!

Some folks don't bother.

[bearsfootball516]

4. Have a bad feeling about this.

Would love to be wrong.

[mbusby]

5. Not guilty all counts....

[Harker]

6. Shit.

It's hunting season all year long now.

[LiberalLoner]

42. Yup. They can kill protestors at will, run them over, no problems.

Not too big of a leap to imagine it might be legal to kill all liberals in general, next.

[Harker]

60. There's a powerful surge in that direction.

Not too big a leap at all for anyone with any knowledge of history.

Good luck, LiberalLoner.

[LiberalLoner]

117. You too.

[fwvinson]

97. All liberals need to arm up.

If they want their "civil war" I'll be happy to fire back.

[Downtown Hound]

102. I agree. They love to talk of civil war because they think it will be easy for them to win.

We need to make sure they learn otherwise.

[rockfordfile]

122. I don't agree with that

[hadEnuf]

142. +1000

I agree. We need to protect ourselves, not be targets for murderous right wing extremists that can apparently get away with almost anything.

We should not let our righteous desire for sensible gun control handicap us into not defending ourselves.

[ShazzieB]

174. No.

Like many other things in life, this is a matter where the right answer is not the same for every individual.

I've never owned a gun, and I don't ever want to own one. It's never been my thing, and it's not going to suddenly become my thing after 70+ years on this planet. Anyone who wants to "arm up" is welcome to do so, but please count me out.

I am not opposed to responsible gun ownership, it's just not for me. It's one thing if you're used to handling firearms and being around them. I'm not, and at this point in my life, I have no interest in getting used to it. Being able to defend oneself sounds good in theory, but I know it wouldn't work that way for me. I'm enough of a klutz that I'd be as likely to shoot off my own foot or take out an innocent bystander as I would be to stop some crazed MAGAt in his tracks.

Not going to do it, sorry. If one of those assholes is sick and crazy enough to shoot a harmles, unarmed, little old lady, then I guess I'm just SOL.

[hadEnuf]

210. Certainly there are going to be people who do not want to arm up and I'm not saying they should.

Nor would I fault them for it. I respect their decisions and quite frankly, I have no desire to become a counterpart of these nuts arming themselves to the teeth. However, these people like Rittenhouse are very dangerous and are being allowed to walk away free & laughing after what was clearly an instigated incident on his part resulting in 2 killings and a severe wounding. And in more and more situations like this the law is not doing it's job.

If a person does not want to own a gun then that's fine, but others need to realize that trying to "not be like them" simply leaves us unable to defend ourselves when being faced with armed, violent and murderous extremists.

[LiberalLoner]

225. +1

[ShazzieB]

229. Fair enough.

However, some here evidently don't see it that way. That's what I was responding to, the idea that "all liberals must arm up. I resent being told what I "must" do by randos on the internet, even DU randos.

[hadEnuf]

230. I think it's recommended that liberals, or any non-conservatives for that matter, have some way

of protecting themselves or at the least have a plan to keep themselves safe from any random politically motivated violence, given the current threats and actions that have been happening. What is going on is actually domestic terrorism and until it's taken in hand people need to be vigilant. If and how one does that is of course up to them.

[onecaliberal]

169. Some of us are.

[PSPS]

172. Oh, please. Few are interested in your gun/killing fetish.

[iluvtennis]

109. +++ agree. n/t

[quakerboy]

132. There will be murders aplenty

and maybe next time the good guy with a gun wont hesitate to put down an active shooter, and we can find out if it cuts both ways.

Lotta liberals and POC arming up these days. I wonder how long it will take the right to turn on gun rights this time?

[hadEnuf]

133. This sets the president that the person with the gun is the boss.

So if protesters are carrying guns and someone on the right wing opposition makes a false move we get to open fire and cut them to pieces.

Right?

It works both ways.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

157. Well no unfortunately

https://komonews.com/news/local/portland-protest-shooter-killed-by-cops-in-lacey-had-gun-in-pocket

[hadEnuf]

168. The guy in Portland was hiding out from the police. That gave them the excuse.

Shittin'house surrendered peacefully. He was obviously coached on how to play the game.

I'm not saying anybody should go and shoot right wingers, but right wingers need to know we are able and will defend ourselves too. Justifiably. Their laws are our laws too.

[Trueblue1968]

163. i think HE will be hunted now. he won't live long i am afraid

[Harker]

167. He'd lay low if he were smart, but he's already shown that he isn't.

You might be right.

[lillypaddle]

8. OMFG

little fucking murderer will walk to kill again.

[sop]

79. Like George Zimmerman before him, after a few months of profiting from his newfound celebrity,

Last edited Fri Nov 19, 2021, 03:10 PM - Edit history (1)

the rest of his life will be a living hell. This will turn out to be Kyle Rittenhouse's brief moment of glory, he will be a pariah till he dies.

[lillypaddle]

118. I hope the hell you are right.

Unfortunately, those on the right will be hailing the hero.

[sop]

140. Rittenhouse will be quickly forgotten. Republicans need victims; they can't fundraise on this.

The McMichaels will be the right's latest martyrs when they're found guilty next week. Watch for it. (That's my prediction.)

Rittenhouse's life will now be hell. George Zimmerman, destitute after being shunned by polite society and ignored by former supporters in rightwing media, sued Trayvon Martin's family and attorney Ben Crump for $100 million a couple of years ago, claiming he'd been "victimized" since the 2012 shooting.

The complaint also named several former prosecutors, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state of Florida as defendants. It additionally claimed there was a conspiracy involving a fake witness that led to Zimmerman’s arrest and prosecution. Larry Klayman, Zimmerman’s batshit crazy attorney, said his client regularly faces death threats, gave up career aspirations, struggled to find work and suffers from PTSD in the fallout from the incident.

Kyle Rittenhouse: meet your own future.

[dchill]

137. Or he'll run for a Congressional seat and win.

(I hope you're right, though.)

[TexasBushwhacker]

178. He dropped out of high school when he was 14-15

He idolized law enforcement and the military, but he couldn't get hired as a mall cop.

[dchill]

188. Sounds like GOP Congressional material.

Boebert can show him the ropes. And the Capitol floor plans.

[sop]

192. And who's going to hire this kid now? He couldn't get a job cleaning toilets at a truck stop.

Weepy Kyle can forget about a career with the military, law enforcement, the fire department or being an EMT. A commenting gig on Carlson's show might be in the cards. The NRA might put him on their board, like that sleazeball Ted Nugent. Or Trump can whore him out at every campaign rally. Things looks bleak for Rittenhouse.

[TexasBushwhacker]

205. I doubt speaking engagements are in his future

He sounds like what he is - an 18 year old who dropped out of school 4 years ago. He would probably need prep courses to pass the GED.

[24601]

218. Not Anytime Soon

He's 18

Minimum age for the House of Representatives is 25

30 for the Senate

[calimary]

154. I hope you're right about that.

Seems the best thing about George Zimmerman is how he had disappeared from publicity and pop culture, and just wasn’t a factor anymore. Which, unfortunately, is all the “justice” we the public can expect.

But now, a case like this will inevitably bring him back out of the memory hole. Already has.

[madville]

180. Wouldn't be surprised if he sues some media outlets for defamation

And gets some settlements. Lots of things were purposely misrepresented in the media regarding this case.

[iluvtennis]

110. Ditto. n/t

[dalton99a]

9. Judge is ecstatic

[Bengus81]

150. Yep...want's a Judge Judy type of show for $15-$20 million per year. Just watch what happens

[OneCrazyDiamond]

10. !@#$

[bearsfootball516]

11. The judge, combined with how badly the prosecution bungled this, I'm not surprised.

It's been a shitshow from day one.

[melm00se]

16. The prosecution

booted this in a big way either in handling the case or with the charges laid against Rittenhouse.

[exboyfil]

20. Don't subscribe incompetence to what could be intent

If it quacks like a duck, it might be a duck.

[The Mouth]

64. He claims to know CPR

But he sat there and watched the "prosecution" choke for a week.

[exboyfil]

12. Open season in Wisconsin

So long as your are semideputized white folks. Carrying a rifle at low ready is not a provocation for anything.

[2naSalit]

13. Glad I'm not in Wisconsin today.

This is really bad, he got off completely.

[Ziggysmom]

14. Disappointed. I can't believe it. Legalizing murder.

[Javaman]

15. Rodney King all over again. what the mother fuck. nt

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

17. Fuck. They're declaring open season on all who oppose the Right.

[LiberalLoner]

44. Exactly.

[Initech]

119. Exactly what I've been saying.

He will be inspiring copycats if they know they can get away with it.

[Lonestarblue]

125. They are already openly asking when they can start killing Democrats.

“The politics of eliminationism—in which ordinary democratic discourse is replaced by the constant drumbeat of demonization that depicts one's political opponents as inhuman objects fit only for extermination—has been growing steadily in America for well over a decade, reaching a fever pitch during Donald Trump's tenure in the White House.

But now, in the post-Trump era, his rabid fans have ripped off the mask of plausible deniability and are now openly calling for killing liberals and Trump critics—which includes anyone who believes he lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden.

Much of this toxic discourse is occurring in the more extreme corners of the internet, but on Monday at a "Critical Racism Tour" event in Nampa, Idaho, it was blurted out into the open when an audience member asked Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk: "When do we get to use the guns? … How many elections are they gonna steal before we kill these people?" Kirk replied with a nondenunciation denunciation, warning that such talk is "playing into their hands," but then saying that the query was just "overly blunt" and agreeing that "we are living under fascism."

https://www.nationalmemo.com/at-idaho-event-far-rightist-ask-charlie-kirk-when-do-we-kill-these-people

[ancianita]

161. +1

[bluestarone]

18. SUE the fucker NOW

[hot2na]

58. Exactly

Sue him into the poor house with a civil case. Why does it seem like this is the only way for victims of right wing terrorism get justice.

[melm00se]

197. Can you sue a minor?

[bucolic_frolic]

19. Prob resolved last night, and then sleep on it.

[Stuart G]

21. F**K

[ShazzieB]

151. I couldn't have said it better myself. 😠😡🤬

I'm shocked, even though I know I shouldn't be. I didn't have much hope for a murder conviction after that travesty of a trial, but when I saw "cleared of all charges," my jaw dropped.

I guess a part of me was unconsciously expecting them to convict on one of the minor charges, and that idiot judge would give him a joke sentence like probation. I can't believe I was that naive!

First the BBB passes the house, and now this. What a fucking come down.

[Pachamama]

23. This verdict will only increase the violence and the open carry of weapons in this country

[Auggie]

32. +1

[LiberalLoner]

46. +1

[Stuart G]

89. * 1

[hadEnuf]

213. Possibly on both sides now.

Many don't want to be at the mercy of these bastards.

[shrike3]

24. Sorry, but I'm not surprised.

The only thing that did surprise me was how long it took for the jury to come back with its verdict.

[SallyHemmings]

144. I'm right there with you

When I saw his face, I knew he would never be convicted.

I hope the families sue him. For no other reason to make his life uncomfortable.

It is only a matter of time before he appears on Fox news. Justice my ass.

[Igel]

219. For me, it was when I saw the videos.

Last summer.

[Ziggysmom]

25. My heart bleeds for the VICTIMS and their families.

[LiberalLoner]

47. +1

[Lucky Luciano]

56. If I were a family member, I know what I would be doing.

[dixiechiken1]

92. So you're okay with vigilante justice?

[Ziggysmom]

98. How can you call the people Rittenhouse shot child rapists and wife beaters? I don't understand.

[cinematicdiversions]

104. Because one of them was recently convicted of raping five boys

And the other beat a woman almost to death.

That is why.

[Maggiemayhem]

147. So you think Rittenhouse knew anything about his victims?

He just went out with the intention of shooting people.

[cayugafalls]

166. All half truths by you. It was neither recent, nor did anyone get beaten half to death.

All alleged crimes were paid for and time was served. DECADES AGO.

Rittenhouse was NOT the fucking juror who was putting down criminals as you seem to be alleging, Rittenhouse was a kid with a gun shooting people he did not know.

To even think you would stoop so low as to claim an 'a priori' defense is simply ridiculous.

SMDH....wtaf.

[dixiechiken1]

208. This, this, this. 1000 times THIS. 👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆

Facts matter. To most of us, anyway.

Thanks, cayuga.

[cayugafalls]

220. You're very welcome.

I got the crickets I was expecting as there was no defense for that position.

Peace.

[IzzaNuDay]

223. Thank you for mentioning this

this was done to Trayvon Martin after GZ killed him.

Regardless of the crimes committed, time served by the victims, gives KR no right to kill anyone.

I am wishing KR has a miserable rest of his life.

[Bengus81]

160. And Rittenhouse was smacking a teenage girl around in 2020

Wasn't allowed in the trial. He's such an upstanding citizen though............

[cinematicdiversions]

170. I agree neither belonged in the trial.

But chants of say thier name and attempts of some posters to try to paint them as people of color ais bizarre.

By all accounts they were violent horrible people.

that doesn;t make what the defendant did correct or excusable. Both facts can be correct.

[cayugafalls]

171. So a claim of an 'a priori' defense is your argument? Prove to me that Rittenhouse knew his victims?

Then prove to me that after time is served and decades have past, it is ok to kill someone because of their past.

Justice is not only for those YOU deem fit.

I'll await your response, but I expect crickets.

[geardaddy]

26. I won't be crossing the St. Croix anytime soon. n/t

[Fla Dem]

27. Sickening and frightening. Open season to shoot anyone protesting RW authoritative racism.

[onetexan]

101. damn right. i'm now very fearful for black & brown people especially

[cilla4progress]

29. I feel

sick

[jonstl08]

30. copy cats

This verdict will give the green light to anybody to start killing protesters now. Watch this to start happening all over the country.

[LiberalLoner]

49. +1

[Harker]

80. +33 more. n/t

[Evolve Dammit]

114. You ain't just whistlin' Dixie. But they will be The judge and his Cult 45 buddies must be giddy.

[orangecrush]

33. Open season on Democrats.

Take all precautions.


That is the message this sends.

[LiberalLoner]

51. +1

[exboyfil]

68. Whatever provocation short of physical assault

Keep your hands to yourself is the best strategy. I personally can't believe that individuals can carry rifles at low ready through a populated area, but assume anyone is armed in any encounter and deescalate as much as possible.

[orangecrush]

96. You do you

I'll do me.


I was harrassed on the road by some of these fuckers a few weeks ago.

Bet they won't try it again.

[exboyfil]

105. Be safe out there

Wish you the best. I know it is difficult to resist responding to provocation, but I used to show my irritation towards aggressive and bad driving around me. Someone threw a bottle at my car in response to that while I was driving on the interstate. I had my wife and children in the car. At that point I decided I would always try to remain calm in such situations.

[orangecrush]

115. Of course..

I hope the 3 people who the little scum shot get that.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

75. Yup...

head on a swivel.

[Marthe48]

34. Miscarriage of justice

I am sorry for the VICTIMS, the murdered young men this monster shot to death, and the one who was gravely wounded.

[DonCoquixote]

35. the signal is out

now everyone would-be Thug will have a license to kill as many blacks and browns as they want to.

Here's a thought, I hate the idea of sinking to your enemy's level, but since the main reason these KKK idiots say that blacks should nOT vote is because of id, well, do they accept NRA MEMBERSHIP? Maybe the yahoos would not feel so strong if they knew the left, brown/black/white/Yellow/Red were as well-armed as they.

[milestogo]

40. Wasn't he on trial for killing whites?

[Lucky Luciano]

59. Who were protesting injustices on blacks.

[Marcuse]

91. They call the 47% of European-Americans who voted for Biden "race traitors, N-word lovers" etc.

[Steelrolled]

62. I think you are right.

I had assumed it was non-whites based on comments I had heard, but checked just now. Reading the description of the incident in Wikipedia, the verdict is really not surprising.

[cinematicdiversions]

90. It us a weird Germans bombed Pearl Harbor blind spot

Everything is racist even white on white crime.

[Evolve Dammit]

120. and Dems, libruls, LGBT, non-white or non-christo-fascist. This is an important tipping point.

[The Magistrate]

138. Damn, Skippy

You meet yerself coming and going?

[milestogo]

36. OMG

[Siwsan]

37. Pretty much what I expected

Watch your backs, people. Vigilantism has just been justified.

[DonCoquixote]

38. how long till Trumpm praises him

Furthermore, how long till Trump uses him to recruit?

[fwvinson]

111. In just a few minuets

[Stuart G]

39. Well, Well, &Well...Kenosha just lost all tourist business, forever & forever..

The jury didn't think about this ....obviously......Good By...Tourism...& Motels, and everything else dealing with a .........
very awful place with a horrible name!!!!!


https://www.bing.com/search?q=kenosha+tourist+attractions&cvid=c0a703fe54d2446a8f570c08cd1030a3&aqs=edge.1.69i57j0j69i64.16071j0j4&FORM=ANAB01&PC=EDGEDB

[geardaddy]

70. It'll probably increase reich-wing tourism though.

[bluescribbler]

41. I wish I could say that I'm surprised.

But, I'm not. This is disgraceful.

[sarisataka]

43. I am mildly surprised

I thought the prosecution closing argument was good enough to Maybe pull a guilty on one of the lesser charges

[ismnotwasm]

45. This was expected, by me at least

That judge needs to have repercussions for his behavior no matter what the verdict

[left-of-center2012]

48. I think victim's family can sue him in civil court

[Marthe48]

63. I hope this is the next step and the murderer carries

a financial onus his life. He isn't capable of carrying an emotional burden and this verdict allows him to avoid any soul-searching whatsoever.

[Paladin]

50. Like a punch to the gut---even though I predicted the result.

This country is going down the toilet at blinding speed.

[Evolve Dammit]

123. Amen. Time to stand our ground

[BillyBobBrilliant]

52. Back when I was young

living in San Antonio, the News and the neighbors told me to beware of the 'Mexicans' because they were dangerous...Then later it was beware of the 'black-skinned' people because they are dangerous.
Now, I am seriously investigating some other country to retire at that doesn't have so many 'white' people.

[LiberalLoner]

57. +1

[left-of-center2012]

53. The judge seemed very happy with the verdict

[musette_sf]

54. Obscene.

[Bengus81]

55. Going to let the three rednecks in Georgia off the hook too?

Sadly,that wouldn't surprise me at all. They're probably high-fiving when they hear this decision even if it is in a different State.

[exboyfil]

73. It is also the mirror image of this case

So we would be sending a message that a plastic bag is more of a threat than two guns being presented and pursuit of someone on foot by two vehicles who attempt multiple times to stop an individual by blocking his path.

[Polybius]

83. True

There's a much, much better case to convict in the GA trial. I expect guilty charges.

[exboyfil]

94. It would be shocking in the extreme

to get anything less than a mistrial (you know one closet racist can spoil the batch).

The Rittenhouse case was always a heavy lift because the 2A morons think carrying a rifle at low ready in a populated area is a ok. The entire crowd should have been scooped up by law enforcement and charged with brandishing if I had my way. Instead they were essentially deputized with no vetting to do God knows what.

[BradAllison]

206. Probably

There's no mealy mouth law the jury can excuse themself on.

Probably won't matter. Whites are allowed to shoot blacks at will now.

[Stuart G]

61. Map of Kenosha Wisconsin...Yes it is on Lake Michigan...nice views...Good By Tourism...

https://www.google.com/search?q=Kenosa+Map&sitesearch=

[LiberalFighter]

66. WTH that is sick. There is no justice.

The judge needs to go too

[ashredux]

67. It's now open season on anyone protesting....beware

[FailureToCommunicate]

69. Absolutely obscene !!

[LaMouffette]

71. I heard on Stephanie Miller this morning that Matt Gaetz wants to invite Rittenhouse to be an intern

Rittenhouse is truly their hero now. Disgusting. It makes me sick to think of all the celebrating going on tonight among the reich-wing.

[Texin]

72. Why am I not surprised?

[melm00se]

74. I would agree

with many sentiments here if there was a hung jury on one or more accounts.

This was a complete acquittal which means all jurors said "not guilty" which says to me that the jurors put aside any preconceived notions and decided based upon the evidence presented and the charges laid against the defendant.

[ashredux]

99. Hmmmm.....in a perfect world, yes. We are NOT in such a world

[melm00se]

124. If wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets

Seriously, we live in the world we do. It isn't perfect.

The jury has spoken based upon the evidence presented by both sides and we have to respect the decision. If anything, the prosecutor and judge may be held accountable the next time they are up for their jobs (not sure if either are elected or not).

[augyboston]

76. Shroeder should be impeached for his antics!

After watching the antics of Judge Shroeder I'm not surprised.

He was totally biased towards the defense and he should be impeached for his handling of this case.

He has the blood of Rittenhouse's "VICTIMS' on his hands.

[Pas-de-Calais]

77. Anyone not surprised?

[Evolve Dammit]

127. me. Cold blooded murder used to mean something

[kimbutgar]

78. Open season now on protesters

But something tells me that the little cretin is not going to have a happy life.

He will burn in hell someday.

[LiberalLoner]

126. +1

[Old Crank]

81. Will the Feds

Go for gun charges for buying the gun illegally and interstate transport. Plus the mother who drove him across state lines.

[More_Cowbell]

95. He drove himself

Though many sites have reported incorrectly that she drove him.

[rockfordfile]

129. Now you're just trolling.

[PBC_Democrat]

82. Former Federal Prosecutor on CNN saying she wasn't surprised.

I wouldn't want to be in Kenosha tonight

[Stuart G]

84. Beautiful Lake..Tourism Gone Forever !.Always known as city that cleared Rittenhouse/murderer

Yep, that is it...Now, this is national news, if not world news...

Of course the jury didn't figure this in..but it is part of the city's profile forever, and forever, and forever..

Better if there were a.....HUNG JURY ....THEN AT LEAST 1 PERSON WOULD BE FOR A GUILTY PLEA..

Kenosha Wisconsin's name is forever known as....

..........."the Town That Acquitted Rittenhouse".........stupid is still stupid.......

[llashram]

85. America's first woman

as POTUS and bi-racial, negates their bullshit threat...not an unexpected complete acquittal

[dixiechiken1]

87. UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE.

I gotta get the fuck outta this country.

[Harker]

88. He'll get an arsenal for Christmas from his sycophants. n/t

[Jarqui]

93. I do not know what to say anymore.

Looks like everyone needs to buy themselves an AR15

[Downtown Hound]

100. Disgusting but not surprising.

America has a long history of allowing white vigilantes to do what they want whereas people of color get shot being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is a long American tradition that is not going to end anytime soon.

[cinematicdiversions]

108. You do know he shot white people yes?

This really isn't about race per se.

[Downtown Hound]

112. It's about who goes to jail and who goes free

Bury your head in the sand and deny that's a problem all you want, it won't change the reality.

[toughtony]

103. NOBODY IS SURPRISED, NOBODY

everybody knew from day -one that the pretrial hearings, the trial was all a farce. We all knew that boy wasn't going to jail. Hell even if they had found him guilty the judge would have over turned the verdict anyway. He was never locked up. And don't overlook the possibility of jury tampering, considering the number of death threats from the right.

And as for vigilante killing, KEEP YOUR POLE ON YOU. YOU HAVE THE SAME ROGHTS AS THEY HAVE, DONT LET THIS SCARE YOU, THATS WHAT THEY WANT, FEAR!!

the only thing that burns me is the hero worship that will obviously come from the right. We're going to have to look at this weak peice of shit in the news for a long time.

[ShazzieB]

183. Speak for yourself.

I was surprised that they didn't convict on one of the lesser charges. Probably shouldn't have been, but I was.

[Wild blueberry]

106. Rotten

Little toe-rag still twice a murderer and would-be third.
Mrs Karma

[iluvtennis]

107. Very sad day for American jurisprudence

[Aviation Pro]

113. Just like 1994, the reason for the acquittal

Was money. The little Kavanaugh-like Crybaby had a defense fund that was flush with terrorist cash.

[WestIndianArchie]

116. He knew from day one

that he would be protected, this is racism/white supremacy and how it works. The right-wing nazis are on the march and have been for a few years now; no one seems to see it.

[Initech]

121. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[NCjack]

128. "Babyface" shooter got away with murder in Kenosha.

[Totally Tunsie]

130. This won't be the last we'll hear of him.

He's free and will live to kill another day. Maybe next time will stick.

[Initech]

164. He'll probably run for president at this rate.

[American Interregnum]

131. Another Fat White Wannabe

Just like George Zimmerman. These pampered cornfed wimps need to be forced back into their Mommy's basements.

[OnlinePoker]

139. Zimmerman was Hispanic and a registered Democrat. n/t

[ForgoTheConsequence]

216. Trump was registered as a democrat at one point.

And Hispanic isn't a race.

[Jimbo S]

134. Fine. Go back to Illinois

get the fuck outta my state, you little piece of shit.

I knew from Day 1 it would be a tough sell to convict. Too much of a gray area in regards to whether or not self-defense.

Myself, I honestly don't think he went to Kenosha that night looking to kill someone. He's just a teenager with dreams of being one day a super cop who got caught up in situation that was way over his head he was too young to understand.

But the prosecution summarized my thoughts with "he put himself in that situation...".

My fear now is he is a forever a hero to the Trumpers and this will embolden the white nationalists to escalate their behavior.

[JohnSJ]

135. Is anyone really surprised by this? The way the judge and prosecutors were, it was a given

[dchill]

141. "That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia."

[Ferrets are Cool]

143. This is a clear message. If you protest ANYTHING in America and are not a rightwing nut, you

can be MURDERED WITH IMPUNITY. I am physically sick to my stomach.

[hadEnuf]

148. I worry that we are now unoficially at war with the right wing.

Whether we want to be or not

[olegramps]

149. I am not really that surprised by the verdict.

People in general support peaceful protests that are conducted with no violence. In this case the protestors were breaking the law firstly by ignoring the curfew as was the so called business protectors. They latter presented by their actions what many regarded as a threat to law and order. When they chose to demonstrate they were in jeopardy of losing any support for their cause. The fact is people have become impatient with this type of behavior as contrast with the peaceful marches by Black citizens lead by King. These demonstrators were identified with the lawless rioters who have burned and looted stores. This created a drama that set the stage for what transpired. As a consequence many believe they had no claim to be respectful citizens expressing their frustration with outright prejudice by the police. Just plain lawless rioters.

As to the judge, he was in my opinion totally unqualified to conduct this type of case. Firstly, he is elected and depends on the support of the citizens for retention. This begs the question of how impartial can he be if his job is determined in part, if not majorly, on his alignment with the voters political persuasions. The situation was stacked against the prosecution from the outset. Many can elaborate further on the situation. It seems that it was a situation that asked for what transpired. A immature kid with what-a-be cop mentality armed with a deadly weapon and unruly demonstrators. Just where were the police and why could they have not better contained the explosive situation?

[Steelrolled]

191. After the verdict came out, I read an account on wiki of what happened.

It looked like a case of some people coming out, some with guns, looking for action. I wouldn't call those people "protestors" in the normal sense of that word. This kind of thing seems to be a part of many big demonstrations over the last few years - perhaps is has always been a part of big protests.

[cate94]

152. Disgraceful

What the hell?

[jmowreader]

153. The Hard Right now has a huge problem

Conservatives aren't the only ones who know where Cabela's is, and (at least for now) you don't have to show your GOP registration card to buy a gun. What happens if the next Rittenhouse starts brandishing his gun and someone he's brandishing it at fills him with lead?

[LiberatedUSA]

156. Then the shooting wars start.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

215. So you prefer executions?

[LiberatedUSA]

217. No.

The poster asked what happens next. Well, if both sides bring guns and claim self defense, then war breaks out. Or more maybe minor skirmishes.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

222. And if one side brings a gun the other-side gets murdered.

But if you're ok with leftists and liberals being shot down in the street for supporting racial justice that's on you.

[NoMoreRepugs]

159. Was thinking much the same thing. Words and protest signs and strongly worded emails are not quite

as powerful.

[IronLionZion]

158. This sets a dangerous precedent encouraging more vigilante style murder

anyone can claim they feared for their lives as long as the other folks are dead. These people have been buying up lots more guns hoping for an opportunity to use them.

[Steelrolled]

194. I don't know if it is a growing trend

but it seems like with big protests are now accompanied by "shadow action" of opposing groups looking for a fight. From what I read about the Kenosha case, it seems the people involved were not typical protestors.

[IronLionZion]

209. People who go looking for a fight

are very likely to find it. Guns make it all 1000 times worse. There's only so much damage a person can do with a skateboard or baseball bat or their fists.

[Steelrolled]

211. Agreed, and in today's culture guns will almost always be present.

Even posters in this thread have been calling for people to arm themselves.

[AngryOldDem]

207. That is the Zimmerman defense.

Using deadly force to protect property is illegal, as is shooting anyone running away from you. But all you need to claim is you felt threatened.

We are just so fucked up. I really have no hope anymore.

[djacq]

173. 110 Percent White Privilege on full display

[ancianita]

175. ...

[Bayard]

181. I agree--open season now on liberals and protestors

This guy showed up with the intention of killing people with a weapon that only belongs in the hands of the military (he thought it looked, cool). How in the world did this get warped into self-defense?

He'll make tons in guest appearances and rallies now.

[Wicked Blue]

185. I hope they sue the daylights out of him and his mother in civil court

What a fucking travesty of a trial.

[hamsterjill]

186. Reminiscent of OJ

Hard to believe he got away with it. I hope the civil suits give the victims some source of closure. Rittenhouse has nothing to get today, but they should file because he may be Trump’s running mate at some point. Get a judgment in place just in case.

[Polybius]

195. By the time he's 35 and eligible to run Trump will be 92

But I do fear he'll run for Congress when he's old enough.

[hamsterjill]

201. Rules you say?

Trump doesn’t go by the rules.

[TrunKated]

187. so now anyone can murder others with the south park defense...

[BeckyDem]

193. omg I was so afraid of this. Rittenhouse is Murika.

My heart goes out to his victims and their loved ones.

[sakabatou]

196. WTFH?!

[healthnut7]

199. This reminds me of George Zimmerman!

I wonder how much more he will do down the road and get away with. !!

[FakeNoose]

200. I'm sorry - there's no justifiable reason for this

This is like the OJ Simpson trial - only in reverse.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

202. My takeaway from the case is that...

... if someone brings a deadly weapon to an unlawful assembly of people, then that deadly weapon can be used to kill someone else who got close to them -- because the other person MIGHT use the weapon to harm the person who brought the weapon in the first place!

[AngryOldDem]

203. He'll be home for Thanksgiving with his family.

Too damn bad the people he shot and killed won’t be.

I knew the little fucker would get off. Such is the way this reich (oops, meant right) wing country is going.

Makes me sick that vigilantism is normalized in this society.

Let’s hope the Arbery jury gets it right.

[BradAllison]

204. Knew it

Can't even be upset anymore.

[Deminpenn]

212. Regardless, he will always be a killer

and the rest of his life will not be easy. He will suffer the consequences of his actions many times over and in ways he never can anticipate.

[George II]

214. According to the definition of the word, he has committed homicide. He admitted to it on the stand.

[ripcord]

221. It was all over after the aerial video was shown

[Raster]

224. Was this an ALL WHITE jury?

Seriously, I do not know. I deliberately followed this trial as little as possible. I suspected when the trial began that the murderous little thug playing Q-Anon GI JOE would be acquitted.

So, all-white jury?

[Devil Child]

228. No n/t

[EndlessWire]

226. It wasn't self defense

I can't imagine what the jury was thinking. We can all worry about this. From giving permission to mow people down with cars to shooting people in crowds, it sets the stage for more. I hope this perp remembers all his life that he killed two people and maimed a third, strangers he didn't know. There is no justification for this. This wasn't war, it was just murder.

The jury had an awesome responsibility, and they blew it. It's like we're getting some brain paralysis. It didn't matter what the victims had done in their lives. You just can't do that. It's very sobering to realize that people accept these outcomes. No wonder the Repubs are getting away with all those things they are doing.

I dunno, I don't get it.

[Marthe48]

231. Sow the wind reap the whirlwind

n/t