Kyle Rittenhouse Acquitted On All Charges

Tad Couch, Journalist|November 19, 2021

AP

Kyle Rittenhouse, left, listens as his attorney Mark Richards gives his closing argument during Rittenhouse’s trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wis., on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. Rittenhouse, an aspiring police officer, shot two people to death and wounded a third during a night of anti-racism protests in Kenosha in 2020. (Sean Krajacic/The Kenosha News via AP, Pool)

November 19, 2021–Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges by jury.

It isn’t all that uncommon for someone to be acquitted on a murder charge when self defense is claimed, but when someone is acquitted after shooting three people, claiming self defense it is virtually unheard of. But that is exactly what happened to Kyle Rittenhouse. 

Rittenhouse faced a total of seven charges at the beginning of the trial, but throughout the trial the judge dismissed two charges. 

Rittenhouse’s charges:

  • First-degree Reckless Homicide, use of a dangerous weapon (up to 60 years)
  • First-degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, use of a dangerous weapon (12 ½ years)
  • First-degree Intentional Homicide, use of a dangerous weapon (Mandatory Life Sentence) 
  • Attempted First-degree Intentional Homicide, use of a dangerous weapon (Max 60 years)
  • First-degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, use of a dangerous weapon (12 ½ years)
  • Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Person Under 18 (Max 9 months)
  • Failure to comply with an Emergency Order From the State or Local Government ($200 fine)

If Rittenhouse was convicted on all charges he would have served life in prison.

Prosecutors can not appeal the decision because the jury delivered a not guilty verdict.  Therefore Kyle Rittenhouse is in no legal trouble currently, and has no criminal record. 

Riots over the verdict are expected to take place in the evening. Kenosha police are on high alert and the National Guard is on standby.