Thoughts wanted on the Kyle Rittenhouse Trial

November 19th, 2021
by Christopher Shilts

On Friday, November 19th, in the year 2021, a jury in Kenosha Wisconsin found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on all 5 charges, to both the delight, and horror of millions of Americans. Personally I’m surprised by this outcome. I had thought at least one charge would stick, if only in an attempt to placate the mob. What happens next is anybody’s guess. My own is there will be protests, and possible riots over the verdict.

Ever since watching the footage of that night, I was convinced of Kyle’s innocence. While millions of Americans feel the same about it, there are millions who don’t. To them, Kyle was a vigilante who made a bad situation worse that night. However, I believe what happened can be laid directly at the feet of Joseph Rosenbaum, and the mental hospital that released him just hours earlier- likely knowing full well he’d end up in Kenosha in the middle of a riot. Rosenbaum, who had an extensive criminal history had nowhere to go that night- not even his fiance would take him in. Swept up in the chaos of that night, and feeling rejected by society, I believe he snapped, and felt like a man with nothing to loose.

As for the most hated man in the trial, I believe that award goes to the prosecutor, Thomas Binger. From one side’s perspective he failed to put a murderer away, botching things so badly that a mistrial could have happened. From the other perspective, he persecuted an innocent teenager, causing him and his family enormous distress. I suspect this trial’s outcome will damage, if not end Binger’s career.

So, what are your thoughts about the verdict? Let me know on the forums, or send a letter about it.

~Christopher Shilts

Editor in Chief of Manistee Speaks.