17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse is ordered back to Wisconsin, where he will face two homicide charges.
On August 25, Rittenhouse shot and killed two protesters during a protest for 29-year-old Jacob Blake, who was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Before the order, Rittenhouse and his defense team fought for his release and his self-defense claim, but Lake County Circuit Court Paul Novak denied those requests before saying the case must be heard in Wisconsin.
Hours before the issue of the order, Rittenhouse’s defense team argued for his release during a hearing. It’s unclear why they did not bring forth witnesses to the incident, although they mentioned that Rittenhouse’s mother and four experts might go to the stand, the New York Post reports.
Following the ruling, the minor was taken to the Wisconsin border and handed over to Kenosha authorities, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“While we have great respect for Judge Novak, we obviously and strongly disagree with today’s decision,” Pierce wrote in a tweet. His attorneys still claim self-defense.
“We will be filing his notice of appeal immediately and pursuing Kyle’s righteous cause with swiftness and vigor in the Illinois Court of Appeal. We will never surrender. Kyle will be set free and cleared of all charges,” Pierce added.
Another tweet, by the defense attorney, added that his client “is grateful to you all and asks for your continued prayers. God Bless Kyle Rittenhouse and the USA.”
Wisconsin prosecutors charged Rittenhouse with six criminal counts; first-degree intentional homicide and attempted homicide – those charges are for the deaths of two Black Lives Matter protesters as well as a third person who was injured.
