Wisconsin prosecutors have filed a motion asking a judge for a new arrest warrant for Kyle Rittenhouse, along with a bail increase, after the teen violated his bail conditions when he didn’t inform the court of his new address.
The Associated Press reports that Rittenhouse failed to notify the court within 24 hours of his address change. His lawyer, Mark Richards, claims that he has been forced into an “undisclosed safe house” because of the death threats the teen has received. Richards allegedly told prosecutors in November if they would keep the address secret. They refused.
Prosecutors learned that Rittenhouse was no longer at the previous address when a notice from the court came back undeliverable in late January. Kenosha detectives went to the address on Tuesday and spoke with the current resident. The man had been living there since mid-December.
“He posted no money, so he has no financial stake in the bond,” prosecutors wrote in their motion. “He is already facing the most serious possible criminal charges and life in prison, so in comparison, potential future criminal penalties are insignificant.”
The safe house address was provided to the judge in a separation motion by Richards. In the motion, he requested it is kept sealed. He maintains that his client has made all of his court appearances and is in constant contact with him.
Rittenhouse is facing murder charges for fatally shooting two people and injuring one other person during a Black Lives Matter protest in August in Kenosha. Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time, responded to a militia’s call on social media to protect businesses during demonstrations. The protests took place after Jacob Blake, who is Black, was shot in the back by a white police officer. As a result of the shooting, Blake is paralyzed from the waist down.
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