Closing arguments will not be made until Monday morning, but there has been an update in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse. Currently, the defendant faces six charges that range from illegally carrying a firearm to intentional homicide. Facing life in prison, the accused killer pled not guilty to all six charges. Now, the prosecution is reportedly looking to alter the charges levied against the accused killer.
NPR reports that prosecutor Thomas Binger and his colleagues are seeking to modify the charges Rittenhouse faces. Specifically, Binger and his team would like to lessen the charges the defendant faces regarding the shooting of Anthony Huber and Gaige Grosskreutz. Rittenhouse has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide for killing Huber and first-degree attempted intentional homicide for wounding Grosskreutz. However, the defendant argues that he acted in self-defense because Grosskreutz pointed a pistol at him and multiple videos show Huber hitting him with a skateboard.
"Certainly with the Huber and Grosskreutz shootings, there's really been almost no evidence presented by the state as to why that wasn't self-defense under those circumstances," defense attorney Julius Kim explained to NPR.
Instead of two first-degree homicide charges, NPR reports that Binger could seek second-degree homicide charges instead of first-degree homicide charges or reckless homicide instead of intentional homicide. If charges are lessened, Rittenhouse would no longer face life in prison, but legal experts believe that it would increase the likelihood he faces jail time.
"I think the request for lesser included charges reflects an acknowledgment that their case might not be as strong with regard to the original charges, and that at this point, they're willing to give up the prospect of life imprisonment for the defendant in exchange for obtaining convictions on something," defense attorney Julius Kim told NPR.
The defense closed its case on Thursday afternoon and closing arguments will begin on Monday with jury deliberations to follow.
Reading about Black trauma can have an impact on your mental health. If you or someone you know need immediate mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. These additional resources are also available:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The National Alliance on Mental Illness 1-800-950-6264
The Association of Black Psychologists 1-301-449-3082
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America 1-240-485-1001
For more mental health resources, click HERE.
Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.