The judge in the Kyle Rittenhouse case granted the defense’s wish to have the gun possession charge against the teenager dropped just before the jury is expected to deliberate on the verdict.
On Monday, Kenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder informed the jury that they would not have to decide whether Rittenhouse was guilty of the sixth count against him, possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18. The misdemeanor charge, which is punishable by up to nine months behind bars, was expected to be the easiest charge for prosecutors to prove.
Rittenhouse, who fatally shot Joseph Rosenbaum and Kyle Huber and injured Gaige Grosskreutz on August 25, 2020, has been charged with five felony counts, including intentional, reckless and attempted homicide, as well as reckless endangerment.
Rittenhouse’s defense team had filed two motions earlier in the trial to have the gun possession charge dismissed, but Schroeder denied both motions.
However, the judge seemed to have changed his mind, saying that the Wisconsin law was poorly written and that the shorter barrel size of the AR-15-style rifle Rittenhouse carried meant he didn’t violate the state law.
He said that the law could be interpreted to mean that 17-year-olds—the age at which Rittenhouse was on the night of the August 25, 2020, shooting—could legally openly carry firearms as long as they’re not short-barrel rifles.
Sean Krajacic/Getty
Schroeder’s announcement, which came before jurors even heard the closing arguments, came as a shock to prosecutors, who argued that the interpretation did not make sense.
Under Wisconsin law, “any person under 18 years of age who possesses or goes armed with a dangerous weapon is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.” A dangerous weapon is defined as any “firearm, loaded or unloaded.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Judge Drops Rittenhouse Gun Charge, Grants Dismissal the Defense Sought Twice
Source: Gwapo Pinoys PH
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