Voices on the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict
Today Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted by a jury on all charges. The weeks-long trial has dominated both news and conversations, and we are bringing you several different points of view on the trial and case.
Assault-style rifle is deadly culprit in Rittenhouse trial
By The Editorial Board
Even as Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty on all charges Friday, the one crucial element responsible for the killings was never a subject of deliberation by the jury.
You can't put an assault-style rifle on trial.
But the Smith & Wesson AR-style semiautomatic rifle that Rittenhouse carried as he walked the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin during a riot the night of Aug. 25, 2020, was at the center of everything that went wrong.
Today's Editorial Cartoon
Opposing view: Rittenhouse had right to carry gun for self-defense
By Erich Pratt
Last year, Kyle Rittenhouse shot three men with criminal records who he testified attacked him during the Kenosha, Wisconsin, riots. Two of them died after being shot by Rittenhouse. Another lost most of his upper right arm after he pointed his pistol at Rittenhouse, who says he then shot the assailant in self-defense.
All three would still be alive or uninjured today had they not attacked Rittenhouse.
The Paste BN Editorial Board says people like Rittenhouse should not possess an AR-15-style rifle for protection, even though they are some of the most commonly owned sporting rifles in the country.
'Liberty and justice for all?' Rittenhouse verdict shows we're far from that
By Carli Pierson
Kyle Rittenhouse's attorneys coached him well. In contrast to the wannabe G.I. JOE that the prosecution tried to paint Rittenhouse as, the defense presented an entirely different young man: Cooperative, demure, thoughtful and potentially suffering from PTSD; a hero, even.
During the trial, Rittenhouse appeared to cry on cue and explained things using precise legal language. So, when time came for jury instructions, a direct line could be drawn from the events of that day to Rittenhouse's self-defense claims.
More columns on Kyle Rittenhouse:
- Kyle Rittenhouse a hero? No, he was a foolish boy
- Prosecutors crash and burn in Kyle Rittenhouse case, but polarized America doesn't see it
- Kyle Rittenhouse trial: Did judge Bruce Schroeder act prudently?
- Give Rittenhouse an acting award for his performance on the witness stand
This newsletter was compiled by Jaden Amos.