Kyle Rittenhouse was spared punishment by a Wisconsin judge Thursday during a hearing in which the state argued in favor of increasing the $2 million bond he posted to remain free pending trial.
Mr. Rittenhouse, 18, has been charged with multiple felonies in connection with shooting three people last August in Kenosha, Wisconsin, killing two of them and seriously injuring the other.
But prosecutors do not know where Mr. Rittenhouse currently lives, Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger argued during the afternoon virtual hearing in Wisconsin Circuit Court.
Mr. Binger said Mr. Rittenhouse moved out of his apartment in Antioch, Michigan, and that he failed to notify the state of his new address in violation of the conditions of his bond.
“I have no idea where the defendant is spending his time,” said Mr. Binger. “The court has no idea where he’s spending his time. And that’s a very unusual and dangerous situation,” he added.
Mr. Binger requested that Mr. Rittenhouse be required to post an additional $500,000 to remain free pending trial and that a warrant be issued for his arrest so that he is compelled to pay.
Judge Bruce E. Schroeder ultimately denied those requests. He also ordered Mr. Rittenhouse to provide his new address to the court and sheriffs, but not the state, much to the chagrin of Mr. Binger.
“After what this town has been through in the last six months, I don’t want any more problems. The police don’t need any more problems. We don’t need to have peoples’ safety in jeopardy in any way,” the judge said.
Kenosha was experiencing protests and riots when the shootings happened in August. Defense lawyers have argued that Mr. Rittenhouse, then 17, acted in self-defense.
“He looks forward to litigating these offenses in your honor’s courtroom,” defense lawyer Mark Richards said during the hearing. “We have nothing to fear. The truth will set my client free.”
*story by The Washington Times