The right of self-defense is on trial in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Background

Millions of Americans agree that Kyle Rittenhouse acted in self-defense on August 25, 2020 while in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kyle went to Kenosha to help clean graffiti and provide medical care to the protestors. A local business owner asked if Kyle and his friends would help protect his business later that evening. Kyle was not part of a militia group nor was he aware of the hateful rhetoric propagating throughout social media.

The Confrontations

Kyle arrived at the business well after the scheduled demonstrations had peacefully concluded and just before the rioters began lighting Kenosha aflame for the second consecutive night. Kyle brought his medical kit with him and used it multiple times throughout the night to render aid to injured protestors. Kyle is heard yelling "medical" over 100 times over the course of the night. Kyle also brought a rifle he was legally permitted to possess in case he found himself in a dangerous situation and it was necessary to defend himself against aggression. The decision to open carry his rifle was the most consequential decision of Kyle's young life. Kyle was forced to employ lethal force against multiple aggressors who stalked him throughout the night and later attacked him. Kyle showed incredible maturity and restraint by not engaging anyone who didn't present a clear and immediate threat to his own life.

The Media Attacks

Before any of the facts were known, Kyle was falsely branded a white supremacist by politicians and celebrities alike. He continues to be defamed and slandered relentlessly on social media. Kyle and his family face near daily threats to their safety and well-being. They were forced to move out of their home and live in an undisclosed location, far away from their friends and unable to work.Without a meaningful investigation, the Kenosha County District Attorney charged Kyle with seven crimes, five of which are felony offenses. If convicted, Kyle could spend the rest of his life in prison. The video and facts are clear and unambiguous; Kyle used a proportionate amount of force to defend his own life. Period.

The Political Prosecution Begins

The Kenosha County District Attorney's office knows they can't secure a conviction on the merits so they have resorted to putting Kyle on trial in the court of public opinion. This is perfectly illustrated with the following two examples.

January 13, 2021. ADA Thomas Binger requested bond conditions be modified due to Kyle allegedly hanging out with white supremacists and/or Proud Boys in spite of knowing Kyle had never met any of the men in the bar before. Furthermore, audio picked up one of the men asking Kyle to tell everyone he's "ok" immediately before making the "ok" hand gesture. To this day, there has been no proof provided that the men in the bar were, in fact, affiliated with the Proud Boys.

February 3, 2021. ADA Thomas Binger requested Kyle's bond be revoked and he be rearrested due to Kyle not informing the court of his change of address within 48 hours of moving. However, ADA Binger himself admitted on video during a November 2, 2020 bond hearing that he was aware Kyle's family "no longer resided at his address in Antioch, Illinois" and "Kyle would be staying at an undisclosed location and perhaps for good reason."