The gun charge that Kyle Rittenhouse was facing in Illinois has been dropped weeks after the Kenosha, Wisconsin incident. Rittenhouse shot three people, killing two, in what his lawyer calls self-defense during a so-called “protest” after the police shooting of Jacob Blake. The teenager was facing the charge because it was alleged that the gun he used “crossed state lines” from his home of Antioch, Illinois 10 minutes across the border into Kenosha, Wisconsin. That story wound up not being true.
Rittenhouse’s attorney, Lin Wood, told the media that the rifle in question belonged to Kyle’s friend and never left Wisconsin. Since there was no evidence that the rifle had ever traveled to Illinois, the Illinois gun charge against Rittenhouse was dropped. However, Rittenhouse still faces at least six other charges related to what happened in Kenosha, including murder. He will also continue to be held without bond in an Illinois juvenile detention center.
News of the Illinois gun charge going away is a good thing for Rittenhouse even though it does not exactly spell “freedom”. However, it is a good sign that the Wisconsin charges will be dropped or downgraded. The gun charge he is facing in Wisconsin is simply a misdemeanor. And if the legal system finds that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense, then the gun charge may not stick. What is the purpose of prosecuting a measly misdemeanor if the murder charges get thrown out?
SOURCES:
Kyle Rittenhouse Will Face No Gun Charges In Illinois For Wisconsin Shooting : Live Updates: Protests For Racial Justice : NPR
Cops say Rittenhouse didn’t have gun from Kenosha shooting in Illinois
Report: Wisconsin man admits to firing first shots on the night of the Kyle Rittenhouse shooting – TheBlaze
