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| Kyle Rittenhouse: Accused teen takes stand in his own defence | Kyle Rittenhouse: Accused teen takes stand in his own defence |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Kyle Rittenhouse broke into tears on the stand as he testified in his own defence | Kyle Rittenhouse broke into tears on the stand as he testified in his own defence |
| A US teenager charged with shooting three people during civil unrest on the streets of Wisconsin last year has taken the stand in his own defence. | A US teenager charged with shooting three people during civil unrest on the streets of Wisconsin last year has taken the stand in his own defence. |
| Kyle Rittenhouse broke down in tears, forcing a brief recess, as he described how he was "cornered" by several men and acted in self-defence. | Kyle Rittenhouse broke down in tears, forcing a brief recess, as he described how he was "cornered" by several men and acted in self-defence. |
| Prosecutors have alleged Mr Rittenhouse, 18, was looking for trouble that night. | Prosecutors have alleged Mr Rittenhouse, 18, was looking for trouble that night. |
| The teen has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. | The teen has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. |
| Mr Rittenhouse is facing counts of reckless, intentional and attempted homicide after he shot two men dead and wounded another. | Mr Rittenhouse is facing counts of reckless, intentional and attempted homicide after he shot two men dead and wounded another. |
| Riots erupted in Kenosha in August 2020 after police shot a black man, Jacob Blake. Mr Rittenhouse had travelled to the city from his home in Illinois the day before and, with a semi-automatic rifle in tow, he claimed he sought to help protect property from unrest on the streets. | Riots erupted in Kenosha in August 2020 after police shot a black man, Jacob Blake. Mr Rittenhouse had travelled to the city from his home in Illinois the day before and, with a semi-automatic rifle in tow, he claimed he sought to help protect property from unrest on the streets. |
| Testifying in court on Wednesday, he said: "I didn't intend to kill. I intended to stop the person who was trying to kill me and trying to steal my gun." | Testifying in court on Wednesday, he said: "I didn't intend to kill. I intended to stop the person who was trying to kill me and trying to steal my gun." |
| Mr Rittenhouse said on the stand he was in town because he had seen the destruction caused by the unrest. In particular, he mentioned seeing on social media that a police officer had a brick thrown at his head. | Mr Rittenhouse said on the stand he was in town because he had seen the destruction caused by the unrest. In particular, he mentioned seeing on social media that a police officer had a brick thrown at his head. |
| He detailed how he had joined up with other armed civilians to protect a series of local car dealerships. | He detailed how he had joined up with other armed civilians to protect a series of local car dealerships. |
| He also noted he had worked as a firefighter and first responder cadet in his hometown, so he was able to administer first aid and basic emergency care. He claimed to have helped at least two people. | He also noted he had worked as a firefighter and first responder cadet in his hometown, so he was able to administer first aid and basic emergency care. He claimed to have helped at least two people. |
| Mr Rittenhouse added that, amid the chaos on the streets, he heard people say "get him". | Mr Rittenhouse added that, amid the chaos on the streets, he heard people say "get him". |
| "The person that attacked me first threatened to kill me," he said of Joseph Rosenbaum, the first person he shot. He told the jury he believed Mr Rosenbaum was carrying a chain with him at one point, though he later learned it was a plastic bag. | |
| The judge called for a break after Mr Rittenhouse burst into tears as he began to describe to the jury the moments before the fatal shootings. His mother was also seen sobbing in the gallery. | The judge called for a break after Mr Rittenhouse burst into tears as he began to describe to the jury the moments before the fatal shootings. His mother was also seen sobbing in the gallery. |
| Upon his return to the stand, the teen said he had nowhere to run at the time: "I didn't do anything wrong. I defended myself." | Upon his return to the stand, the teen said he had nowhere to run at the time: "I didn't do anything wrong. I defended myself." |
| Mr Rittenhouse said he shot and killed Mr Rosenbaum after Mr Rosenbaum had laid a hand on his rifle. | Mr Rittenhouse said he shot and killed Mr Rosenbaum after Mr Rosenbaum had laid a hand on his rifle. |
| He also testified that he killed Anthony Huber, his second victim, after Mr Huber hit him with his skateboard and also tried to grab his rifle. Gaige Grosskreutz, who he wounded in the arm, had pointed a pistol at him, he said. | He also testified that he killed Anthony Huber, his second victim, after Mr Huber hit him with his skateboard and also tried to grab his rifle. Gaige Grosskreutz, who he wounded in the arm, had pointed a pistol at him, he said. |
| Mr Grosskreutz, the third person to be shot by Mr Rittenhouse the night of 25 August 2020, testified this week he thought Mr Rittenhouse was an "active shooter" when he drew his own gun and advanced on him. | Mr Grosskreutz, the third person to be shot by Mr Rittenhouse the night of 25 August 2020, testified this week he thought Mr Rittenhouse was an "active shooter" when he drew his own gun and advanced on him. |
| Prosecutors argue that Mr Rittenhouse inserted himself into the situation and intended to kill everyone he shot that evening. | Prosecutors argue that Mr Rittenhouse inserted himself into the situation and intended to kill everyone he shot that evening. |
| "I used deadly force to stop the threat that was attacking me," Mr Rittenhouse responded. | "I used deadly force to stop the threat that was attacking me," Mr Rittenhouse responded. |
| In a testy cross-examination, prosecutor Thomas Binger contested the teen's right to possess a rifle and questioned the extent of his medical training. | In a testy cross-examination, prosecutor Thomas Binger contested the teen's right to possess a rifle and questioned the extent of his medical training. |
| But Mr Binger's line of questioning drew a furious reprimand from Judge Bruce Shroeder, who accused him of violating a pre-trial ruling on certain pieces of evidence. | But Mr Binger's line of questioning drew a furious reprimand from Judge Bruce Shroeder, who accused him of violating a pre-trial ruling on certain pieces of evidence. |
| The state rested its case on Tuesday. Mr Rittenhouse is the third witness on the stand for the defence. | The state rested its case on Tuesday. Mr Rittenhouse is the third witness on the stand for the defence. |