Rittenhouse Bond Is Modified

An 18-year-old Illinois man who is charged with shooting and killing two people during protests for racial justice in Kenosha last summer had his bond modified to prohibit him from associating with white supremacists and drinking alcohol.

Kyle Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time of the incident, faces five felony charges — including two counts of first degree reckless homicide. Rittenhouse drove across the state border from Antioch, Ill., saying he did so to defend businesses and property with other members of militia groups. Rittenhouse is charged with fatally shooting two men and injuring a third protester.

Rittenhouse’s bond was initially set at $2,000,000 with the condition that he not possess any weapons and avoid contact with a number of people. He made bail shortly after his legal team raised the money through donations as he’s become something of a martyr in right-wing circles.

According to online court records, Rittenhouse’s bond was modified last Friday to prohibit him from drinking alcohol and “not knowingly have contact with any person or group of persons known to harm, threaten, harass or menace others on the basis of their race, beliefs on the subject of religion, color, national origin, or gender.”

In early January, Rittenhouse was seen in a Racine County bar drinking alcohol — which is allowed in Wisconsin because he was with his mother. Rittenhouse arrived at the bar wearing a shirt the read “Free as F*ck,” shortly after he pleaded not guilty.

Inside the bar he flashed the “OK” sign, which has become a symbol for white supremacists and the far right. He was also serenaded with the anthem of the Proud Boys, a right-wing militia group that was heavily involved in the planning of the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Rittenhouse is next scheduled to appear in court for a final pretrial conference on March 10. Jury selection in the case is scheduled to begin March 29.

Reprinted with permission of Wisconsin Examiner.