A Few Questions About the Rittenhouse Case…

 

First, suppose one or more of the people that Rittenhouse shot in self-defense had been black – do you think that would that have affected the outcome of this trial?  I suspect that if one or more of the people who had attacked Rittenhouse had been black, he would have been found guilty.  I just can’t imagine a jury acquitting him in that case.  But perhaps not – what do you think?

Next, Rittenhouse was criticized for driving in from out of town to participate in the riot.  Or to protect people from the rioters.  Or whatever.  I tend to agree – I think that showed poor judgement on his part, although once he was there, he showed remarkable restraint in shooting only to defend himself from immediate deadly force.  I’m not sure that I could have limited myself as he did – panic takes over, and I can see my self over-reacting in that situation.  Anyway, the three men that he shot – all of them had criminal records, as I understand it.  I wonder if they were from out of town, like Rittenhouse?  And if so, how many people at Black Lives Matter riots are shipped in from out of town?  And if so, why is this not being talked about?

Lastly, I’m not sure how Rittenhouse is supposed to go to college and get a job like anybody else.  Does he have a case to sue people for libel or something for lost earnings?  Who?  Could he sue news outlets?  What about President Biden?  What about actors and public figures who said horrible things about him before and during the trial?  Would he have a chance of winning these cases?  Could he come out with enough money to live on for a while?  I don’t know enough about law to speculate on such things.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Published in General
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members. Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 79 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Phil Turmel Inactive
    Phil Turmel
    @PhilTurmel

    Kyle had a job in Kenosha and stayed overnight with friends before the riot.  His father lives in Kenosha and he has many friends there.  He would drive the 20 miles between his divorced parents’ places often.  Most of this wasn’t published until courtroom live feed displayed it straight from Kyle’s mouth on the stand.

    The level of both media malpractice and prosecutorial misconduct is horrifying.

    • #1
  2. Phil Turmel Inactive
    Phil Turmel
    @PhilTurmel

    The underage gun charge and the transporting across state lines charge were both dismissed because:

    • The rifle was legally purchased for him by a friend’s father and stored at that man’s home.  It did not cross any state line.
    • Kyle carrying in public, having received it legally, was also legal.  The under-age limitations in Wisconsin are limited to short-barreled weapons, which did not apply to Kyle’s.
    • #2
  3. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    Phil Turmel (View Comment):

    The level of both media malpractice and prosecutorial misconduct is horrifying.

    But expected.

    • #3
  4. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Dr. Bastiat: suppose one or more of the people that Rittenhouse shot in self-defense had been black – do you think that would that have affected the outcome of this trial? 

    It’s a good thing for Rittenhouse that he did not shoot the man who kicked him after he fell in the street.

    • #4
  5. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    Dr. Bastiat: I suspect that if one or more of the people who had attacked Rittenhouse had been black, he would have been found guilty.

    I would rather focus on the facts of the case and the moral conduct of people rather than melanin. Self-defense is self-defense regardless of the capacity of people to sunburn. However, that sentiment is now a right-wing Republican sentiment. 

    America has gone backward in race relations. That Rittenhouse’s superficial color matters is against the best of what America should represent. We know what happens when race or class take precedence over plain justice. 

    But to much of the left, plain justice is racist because it doesn’t take into account race. This is a disgusting and evil ideology and worthy of all contempt among men who love real justice.

    • #5
  6. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Phil Turmel (View Comment):

    Kyle had a job in Kenosha and stayed overnight with friends before the riot. His father lives in Kenosha and he has many friends there. He would drive the 20 miles between his divorced parents’ places often. Most of this wasn’t published until courtroom live feed displayed it straight from Kyle’s mouth on the stand.

    The level of both media malpractice and prosecutorial misconduct is horrifying.

    I didn’t know that.  Thanks.

    • #6
  7. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    As a plaintiff’s lawyer I would volunteer to work pro bone with any law firm going after Joy Reid and the 250 other media jerks that libeled this kid. The Covington, Ky MAGA youngster did OK. Maybe a few seven figure verdicts against these leftists propogandists  will send a message. 

    • #7
  8. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    Well, we did continue to say horrible things about OJ even after he was acquitted. I don’t think he sued anybody. But, of course, all those terrible things were true.

    • #8
  9. 9thDistrictNeighbor Member
    9thDistrictNeighbor
    @9thDistrictNeighbor

    Dr. Bastiat: Anyway, the three men that he shot – all of them had criminal records, as I understand it.  I wonder if they were from out of town, like Rittenhouse? 

    Rosenbaum and Huber were from Kenosha.  Grosscreutz came down from Milwaukee..

    Don’t forget about  Drop Kick Man, aka Maurice Freeland.  He, too, has a long record, and a soon-to-be ex-wife.

    Melody Price Freeland, the soon-to-be ex-wife of Maurice Freeland – the Kenosha felon who is suspected of being “Jump Kick Man” in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial – claimed to Wisconsin Right Now in an exclusive interview that Maurice allegedly told her right after the shooting occurred, “You’re not going to believe what just happened; I almost got shot by a dude.”

    [Snip]

    Yet, we’ve learned that people close to Freeland widely believed he was Jump Kick Man right after the shooting happened, and it was discussed openly on Facebook. We heard that from four people who know him.

    • #9
  10. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: I suspect that if one or more of the people who had attacked Rittenhouse had been black, he would have been found guilty.

    I would rather focus on the facts of the case and the moral conduct of people rather than melanin. Self-defense is self-defense regardless of the capacity of people to sunburn. However, that sentiment is now a right-wing Republican sentiment.

    America has gone backward in race relations. That Rittenhouse’s superficial color matters is against the best of what America should represent. We know what happens when race or class take precedence over plain justice.

    But to much of the left, plain justice is racist because it doesn’t take into account race. This is a disgusting and evil ideology and worthy of all contempt among men who love real justice.

    Not that any one or more of the people shot being black actually affects the reality of the case, but that if that had been the case, the jury may have been more reluctant to properly acquit, out of fear of mob reprisals.

    • #10
  11. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Dr. Bastiat: I think that showed poor judgement on his part,

    Of course he showed poor judgement; he was a 17 year old kid.  I wasn’t so hot in the judgement department when I was 17 either.

    • #11
  12. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    navyjag (View Comment):

    As a plaintiff’s lawyer I would volunteer to work pro bone with any law firm going after Joy Reid and the 250 other media jerks that libeled this kid. The Covington, Ky MAGA youngster did OK. Maybe a few seven figure verdicts against these leftists propogandists will send a message.

    I hope you sue those jerks you can make some money. (This the first and possibly the last time that I encourage a lawyer to make money).

    • #12
  13. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    navyjag (View Comment):

    As a plaintiff’s lawyer I would volunteer to work pro bone with any law firm going after Joy Reid and the 250 other media jerks that libeled this kid. The Covington, Ky MAGA youngster did OK. Maybe a few seven figure verdicts against these leftists propogandists will send a message.

    I hope you sue those jerks you can make some money. (This the first and possibly the last time that I encourage a lawyer to make money).

    Thanks Henry but don’t need it now.  Just pissed these media idiots can get away with this stuff. So email off to Covington kid’s lawyers tomorrow.  Probably lots of plaintiff libel lawyer sharks skimming the waters now. Just want to help feeding them some bait. I can write decent briefs. 

    • #13
  14. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: I think that showed poor judgement on his part,

    Of course he showed poor judgement; he was a 17 year old kid. I wasn’t so hot in the judgement department when I was 17 either.

    Well if it is illegal to show poor judgement at 17 years than I think he’s guilty. But that ain’t what the trial is about.

    • #14
  15. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: I think that showed poor judgement on his part,

    Of course he showed poor judgement; he was a 17 year old kid. I wasn’t so hot in the judgement department when I was 17 either.

    Well if it is illegal to show poor judgement at 17 years than I think he’s guilty. But that ain’t what the trial is about.

    Weren’t 17 year old boys drafted into the infantry in WWII? And Viet Nam? I think this kid would have done ok in the 1st Division. 

    • #15
  16. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: I think that showed poor judgement on his part,

    Of course he showed poor judgement; he was a 17 year old kid. I wasn’t so hot in the judgement department when I was 17 either.

    Well if it is illegal to show poor judgement at 17 years than I think he’s guilty. But that ain’t what the trial is about.

    Very true.  My judgement at age 17 wasn’t so great either.  Thank God my hot-headed poor judgement never got me into a situation like this. 

    • #16
  17. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    Photographic confirmation: BLM has become overtly about Whitepeople. 

    • #17
  18. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: I think that showed poor judgement on his part,

    Of course he showed poor judgement; he was a 17 year old kid. I wasn’t so hot in the judgement department when I was 17 either.

    Well if it is illegal to show poor judgement at 17 years than I think he’s guilty. But that ain’t what the trial is about.

    Weren’t 17 year old boys drafted into the infantry in WWII? And Viet Nam? I think this kid would have done ok in the 1st Division.

    I don’t know about WWII.  I think you had to be 18 to be drafted during Viet Nam.  But you don’t have to have good judgement to be an infantryman; you just have to follow orders.

    • #18
  19. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: I think that showed poor judgement on his part,

    Of course he showed poor judgement; he was a 17 year old kid. I wasn’t so hot in the judgement department when I was 17 either.

    Well if it is illegal to show poor judgement at 17 years than I think he’s guilty. But that ain’t what the trial is about.

    Weren’t 17 year old boys drafted into the infantry in WWII? And Viet Nam? I think this kid would have done ok in the 1st Division.

    I don’t know about WWII. I think you had to be 18 to be drafted during Viet Nam. But you don’t have to have good judgement to be an infantryman; you just have to follow orders.

    And shoot straight. Which this kid did. 

    • #19
  20. E. Kent Golding Moderator
    E. Kent Golding
    @EKentGolding

    I initially thought Kyle was an irresponsible moron for putting himself in that situation.   He had no business going to Kenosha. — he was innocent, but was also an innocent and an idiot.     Upon further reflection, I realized that he had   put himself at great personal risk for his town and for his fellow man.    He had shown courage — something I had seldom shown.     I decided that I admired Kyle and wished to be more like him.   In the rest of his life he will learn bravery has its cost; we are better for those willing to pay the cost.

    • #20
  21. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    navyjag (View Comment):

    As a plaintiff’s lawyer I would volunteer to work pro bone with any law firm going after Joy Reid and the 250 other media jerks that libeled this kid. The Covington, Ky MAGA youngster did OK. Maybe a few seven figure verdicts against these leftists propogandists will send a message.

    I hope you sue those jerks you can make some money. (This the first and possibly the last time that I encourage a lawyer to make money).

    Thanks Henry but don’t need it now. Just pissed these media idiots can get away with this stuff. So email off to Covington kid’s lawyers tomorrow. Probably lots of plaintiff libel lawyer sharks skimming the waters now. Just want to help feeding them some bait. I can write decent briefs.

    Oh, I don’t think they are going to get away with much, not once the subpoenas start falling like rain.

    • #21
  22. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    I hope that Rittenhouse has good advice when meeting with attorneys willing to take on any lawsuits against Big Media.  I note that the Twitterverse is replete with those encouraging him to sue “their pants off.”

    Until NY Times v. Sullivan is scaled back or reversed, it could be an uphill climb.  I’d advise him to find a rock solid civil attorney specializing in libel/defamation who’ll take the case on a contingency basis and work towards a healthy settlement.

    IMO Kyle does not need a drawn out trial nor does he need the libel equivalent of ambulance chasers in representation.  Worth noting that his criminal attorney ducked the question of further action and said it wasn’t his area of expertise.  Good man.

    • #22
  23. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    I hope that Rittenhouse has good advice when meeting with attorneys willing to take on any lawsuits against Big Media. I note that the Twitterverse is replete with those encouraging him to sue “their pants off.”

    Until NY Times v. Sullivan is scaled back or reversed, it could be an uphill climb. I’d advise him to find a rock solid civil attorney specializing in libel/defamation who’ll take the case on a contingency basis and work towards a healthy settlement.

    IMO Kyle does not need a drawn out trial nor does he need the libel equivalent of ambulance chasers in representation. Worth noting that his criminal attorney ducked the question of further action and said it wasn’t his area of expertise. Good man.

    Hoy, you can bet most of the lawyers wanting to sign up for Rittenhouse are defamation case and NY Times case savvy.  The malice standard here does not seem that difficult given the Joy Reid type explosions after the incident.  To a normal person racism equals malice.  Curious what the Covington kid’s settlement was. I think the Rittenhouse case would be worth much more. 

    • #23
  24. Vance Richards Inactive
    Vance Richards
    @VanceRichards

    First, suppose one or more of the people that Rittenhouse shot in self-defense had been black

    Wait, what?

    • #24
  25. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Vance Richards (View Comment):

    First, suppose one or more of the people that Rittenhouse shot in self-defense had been black

    Wait, what?

     

    Ooh, more punitive damages!

    • #25
  26. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    The UK Independent news says that Kyle killed wither two or three black men, depending on which headline.

    • #26
  27. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    Phil Turmel (View Comment):

    The underage gun charge and the transporting across state lines charge were both dismissed because:

    • The rifle was legally purchased for him by a friend’s father and stored at that man’s home. It did not cross any state line.
    • Kyle carrying in public, having received it legally, was also legal. The under-age limitations in Wisconsin are limited to short-barreled weapons, which did not apply to Kyle’s.

    Thanks for the additional background information, Phil. It provides answers to some questions I had that were certainly not mentioned in the MSM coverage that I saw.

    • #27
  28. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    Phil Turmel (View Comment):

    The level of both media malpractice and prosecutorial misconduct is horrifying.

    But expected.

    Yes, when we think we have seen the bottom, they (the MSM, especially) keep managing to sink lower.

    • #28
  29. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    Henry Castaigne (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: I suspect that if one or more of the people who had attacked Rittenhouse had been black, he would have been found guilty.

    I would rather focus on the facts of the case and the moral conduct of people rather than melanin. Self-defense is self-defense regardless of the capacity of people to sunburn. However, that sentiment is now a right-wing Republican sentiment.

    America has gone backward in race relations. That Rittenhouse’s superficial color matters is against the best of what America should represent. We know what happens when race or class take precedence over plain justice.

    But to much of the left, plain justice is racist because it doesn’t take into account race. This is a disgusting and evil ideology and worthy of all contempt among men who love real justice.

    But, notice how the race mongers keep trying to make it a “white supremacy” issue in spite of all the participants being white.

    • #29
  30. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Dr. Bastiat: I think that showed poor judgement on his part,

    Of course he showed poor judgement; he was a 17 year old kid. I wasn’t so hot in the judgement department when I was 17 either.

    The untrained kid showed better trigger discipline and restraint than that shown in about 90% of cop shootings that have gotten media coverage in the last decade.

     

    • #30
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.