Judge Denies New Arrest Warrant For Rittenhouse

A judge is refusing prosecutors’ request to issue a new arrest warrant for Kyle Rittenhouse — the 18-year-old from Illinois who’s accused of killing two people and wounding a third during a police brutality protest in Kenosha last summer.

Prosecutors asked Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Schroeder to issue a new warrant for Rittenhouse and up his bail by $200,000 because he failed to update his address as mandated by his bail conditions.

Rittenhouse’s attorney, Mark Richards, said Rittenhouse has been moved to a “safe house” following and a deluge of threats, and provided the court with a P.O. box. Richards added that Rittenhouse has never missed a court date.

“My client will appear. He looks forward to litigating in your honor’s courtroom,” Richards said. “We have nothing to fear. The truth will set my client free.”

Prosecutors argued that Rittenhouse is a flight risk and asked that his bond be increased by $200,000. But family members of Rittenhouse’s victims argued his bail should be increased even more.

John Huber’s son, Anthony Huber, was one of the victims. He said Rittenhouse’s bond should be $4 million.

“He is enjoying this media circus, and the support from these hate groups and militia members that have posted his bond. It’s not like his mom and dad put up the family house to get him out. He has nothing to lose,” Huber said Thursday.

Conservatives posted his initial $2 million bail in November. Since that time, Rittenhouse was spotted in a Wisconsin bar with members of the extremist group, the Proud Boys. The far right has rallied in support of Rittenhouse, calling him a patriot and raising money for his bail and defense. Former President Donald Trump has also expressed his support.

But because housing was never a condition of Rittenhouse’s bond, Schroeder said he couldn’t increase his bond. And despite the national attention that Rittenhouse case has gotten, Schroeder said the violation wasn’t that severe.

“I do not believe it’s proper to issue a warrant, I don’t think that would be lawful, no matter what feelings anyone has. I took an oath to uphold the constitution and follow the laws,” Schroeder said.

Rittenhouse’s homicide trial is scheduled for March.

Listen to the WPR report here.

Judge Declines New Arrest Warrant For Kyle Rittenhouse was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.