Rittenhouse Jury Selection Has Begun; Judge Reiterates “This Is Not A Political Trial”

KENOSHA, WI – Just before 9:30 am local time on Monday, the jury selection began for the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time he fatally shot two and wounded one other during a violent riot.

Rittenhouse’s attorneys maintain that he was acting in self defense, while the prosecution said there was no threat of harm to himself or others during the incident.

After an unexplained interruption Monday morning, the selection process began, starting with approximately 179 people showing up as prospective jurors. The court is seeking 20 to serve as jurors and alternates.

By the end of the day, about 34 had been excused for either personal reasons or because they spoke up and said they were unable to be unbiased. Potential jurors were questioned about the protests and riots and their involvement in them, their beliefs in firearms, their ability to act impartially, and possible donations made to Rittenhouse’s defense fund.

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“No one wants to be here,” one of the potential jurors told the court. “It’s scary. You’re scared to go to your car, scared to go home.”

Another potential juror said, “My fear is walking out of any of the days of court and just wondering what we’re walking out to. What are our cars going to look like when we’re going out them? Are they going to be slashed? Are they going to be damaged? Am I going to be able to get home safe?”

On the ground in Kenosha, WI for the start of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.

It’s taking place at the courthouse rioters attacked on the night of August 25th. I was dressed a little bit differently the last time I was at the building. pic.twitter.com/9wVzd68agn

— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) November 1, 2021

Judge Bruce Schroeder, who reportedly played a game of Jeopardy! with those waiting to go through the selection process, said that there is a less than one percent chance that he would order the jurors to be sequestered during the trial.

Judge Schroeder reiterated that the case was not a political one. “I want this case to reflect the greatness and fairness of Kenosha,” he said. He told potential jurors that, if selected, they would need to act solely on what they heard in the court room.

“[The case] was mentioned by both political campaigns and the presidential campaign last year, in some instances very, very imprudently,” the judge said. He also said that the defendant had a constitutional right to a fair trial and that he doesn’t “want it to get sidetracked into other issues.”

On the ground in Kenosha, WI for the start of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.

It’s taking place at the courthouse rioters attacked on the night of August 25th. I was dressed a little bit differently the last time I was at the building. pic.twitter.com/9wVzd68agn

— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) November 1, 2021

Rittenhouse, now 18, faces two counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder, and up to life in prison.

So far, potential jurors have been dismissed for attending the riots during the same time period, believing they did not have the ability to be impartial, one person for believing that there was no reason to ever kill anyone (even in self defense), and having personal ties to someone involved in the case.

Fox News reported, “One woman told Binger she feared there would be friction in her marriage if she came to a verdict that went against her husband’s opinion. The judge put her questioning aside for the time being without dismissing her.”