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Kyle Rittenhouse Trial: What Charges Does Rittenhouse Face?
CHICAGO (CBS) — Kyle Rittenhouse’s trial for shooting three people, killing two of them, during widespread civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year is nearing its end, and jurors could begin deliberations early next week.
Rittenhouse faces five felony charges and one misdemeanor charge in connection with the shootings in August 2020 during protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse is accused of killing Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz. He also faces charges of endangering others and illegal possession of a weapon.
There’s no question Rittenhouse shot anyone. However, jurors must decide whether Rittenhouse fired in self-defense, as his attorneys claim, or was acting as a a vigilante, as prosecutors argue. The jury could be instructed to consider lesser charges, that would carry a lesser prison sentence. The judge in the case, Bruce Schroeder, will decide on the scope of the jury’s instructions on Saturday.
The charges include:
Count 1 – First-degree reckless homicide in the death of Joseph Rosenbaum. Rittenhouse is accused of recklessly causing Rosenbaum’s death with an “utter disregard for human life.” Because Rittenhouse used a dangerous weapon in the shooting, he could face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison if convicted of this count.
Count 2 – First-degree recklessly endangering safety for shots Rittenhouse fired at video producer Richard McGinnis, who was filming Rittenhouse. This charge also accuses Rittenhouse of showing “utter disregard for human life.” He could face up to 17 ½ years in prison if convicted of this count.
Count 3 – First-degree intentional homicide in the death of Anthony Huber. Rittenhouse is accused of intentionally killing Huber. This is the most serious charge Rittenhouse faces, and he could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of this count.
Count 4 – Attempted first-degree intentional homicide in the shooting of Gaige Grosskreutz. Rittenhouse is accused of attempting to cause the death of Grosskreutz, with intent to kill. He could face up to 65 years in prison if convicted of this count.
Count 5 – First-degree recklessly endangering safety for firing shots at an unknown man, “under circumstances which show utter disregard for human life.” The person Rittenhouse was firing at around the same time he shot Huber and Grosskreutz has not been identified, but the shooting was caught on video. Rittenhouse faces up to 17 ½ years in prison if convicted of this count.
Count 6 – Possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18, for carrying his AR-15 style rifle when he was only 17 years old. Wisconsin state law prohibits minors from carrying firearms in public. Rittenhouse could face up to nine months in prison if convicted of this count.
