National Guard Deployed in Kenosha Ahead of Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict

News

By Alyssa Wilson Published: November 15, 2021

National Guard Deployed in Kenosha Ahead of Kyle Rittenhouse Verdict

Kyle Rittenhouse listens as the his attorneys speak to the judge during his trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wis, on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Rittenhouse is accused of killing two people and wounding a third during a protest over police brutality in Kenosha, last year. (Sean Krajacic/The Kenosha News via AP, Pool)

In Summary

Hundreds of National Guard troops have been deployed in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as the community gets ready for a verdict in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse.

As the trial for 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse comes to a close, the Wisconsin National Guard has been deployed.

Governor Tony Evers positioned about 500 members of the agency in preparation for the jury’s decision, Kenosha News reported.

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“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.”

Evers also asked people who are not from the area to avoid coming and encouraged people who want to “exercise their First Amendment rights” to do it “safely and peacefully.”

Local police said they are monitoring the trial and its outcome. The Kenosha Police Department and Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department issued a statement saying, “We recognize that some varying opinions and feelings revolve around the trial that may cause concerns. Both of our departments have dedicated staff working in conjunction with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our communities.”

Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time, is accused of crossing state lines, shooting Gaige Grosskreutz and killing Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum at a demonstration protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020.

He pleaded not guilty to six charges, including first-degree reckless homicide, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree recklessly endangering safety and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.

If convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison.

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