Wisconsin National Guard On Standby As Closing Arguments Begin In Rittenhouse Trial

(The Center Square

As a result, about 500 Wisconsin Army National Guard soldiers are ready to react to possible unrest in Kenosha. Monday’s deliberations in the Kyle Rittenhouse case will begin.

In a statement Gov. Tony Evers said he’s taking the action to ensure the safety of residents.

“We continue to be in close contact with our partners at the local level to ensure the state provides support and resources to help keep the Kenosha community and greater area safe,” Evers said. “The Kenosha community has been strong, resilient, and has come together through incredibly difficult times these past two years, and that healing is still ongoing. I urge folks who are otherwise not from the area to please respect the community by reconsidering any plans to travel there and encourage those who might choose to assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights to do so safely and peacefully.”

Rittenhouse shot and killed two people during Kenosha’s final night of violence in August in the wake of a police shooting of Jacob Blake. Blake was wounded and shot by a Kenosha cop on Aug. 23, 2020. Blake was being held that day by police for violating an Order of Protection. He was at his ex-girlfriend’s home. Blake had been accused of sexual assault by her not too long ago.

In the days following the shooting, riots broke out in Kenosha.

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Rittenhouse is an Illinois native who was just 17 years old at the time. He and his friend went to Kenosha with a friend to provide assistance during unrest and to help local businesses. Rittenhouse, armed with an AR-15 semiautomatic gun, shot two men to death and injures another. Rittenhouse claimed he was acting in self defense.

Rittenhouse is currently being tried on charges of first-degree deliberate homicide, attempted 1st-degree intentional killing, and reckless endangering. Rittenhouse’s misdemeanor offense of illegally possessing an weapon by a minor was dismissed Monday by Bruce Schroeder.

Rittenhouse testified last week that he had fired Rittenhouse because he was afraid for his own life. After closing arguments by both defense and prosecution attorneys, jury deliberations will begin on Monday afternoon.

“The Kenosha community has been strong, resilient, and has come together through incredibly difficult times these past two years, and that healing is still ongoing,” Evers said. “I urge folks who are otherwise not from the area to please respect the community by reconsidering any plans to travel there and encourage those who might choose to assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights to do so safely and peacefully.”