Judge Denies Motion to Arrest Kyle Rittenhouse

A judge has denied to issue a warrant for Kyle Rittenhouse’s arrest after the 18-year-old was accused of violating terms of his bond. 

The request for his arrest was made by Prosecutor Thomas Binger, after Rittenhouse failed to notify the court of a change in address which resulted in a notice for an upcoming arraignment to be returned to the court with no way of reaching Rittenhouse. 

Binger went on to describe this as being an apparent pattern of disrespect displayed by Rittenhouse, who is currently facing first-degree murder charges after he shot and killed two protesters in Kenosha during protests that occurred last summer, as well as injuring a third. 

After posting his $2 million bail, Rittenhouse was seen drinking at a bar in Racine and was seen flashing a white power hand sign. He was also allegedly seen interacting with men who serenaded him with songs affiliated with the Proud Boys, an alleged white supremacist group. 

Binger also expressed concern for the new resident of Rittenhouse’s former property in Antioch, Illinois. Rittenhouse had listed the residence as his current address which was made publicly available. According to Binger, that person could now be targeted by citizens who are not aware that Rittenhouse is no longer living there. 

“The defense has argued that they need to keep the defendant’s whereabouts confidential, because of fear for his safety,” said Binger. “Now someone new is in jeopardy.” 

Above all it was important that the court ensure that Rittenhouse complied with the bond given the seriousness of the charges he is facing, stated Binger. 

“When we look at the context there is very little wiggle room here,” said Binger. “The defendant needs to be kept on a very short leash.” 

Kimberley Motley, attorney for Rosenbaum’s estate, one of the casualties during the Kenosha protest, echoed Binger’s concerns regarding Rittenhouse’s unknown location. 

“We are very disturbed by his behavior in terms of what we believe are violations of his bail conditions,” said Motley. “He should be giving his address.” 

Motley also requested that the terms of Rittenhouse’s bond be altered to include electronic monitoring, a surrender of his passport, and confined movements. 

Defense Attorney Mark Richards argued that there was no need for an arrest warrant to be issued considering that Rittenhouse had been present for every appointment in court via Zoom, including the one from the letter that was sent to his former address. 

Richards also pointed out that a PO box had been provided as a means to reach Rittenhouse, while still keeping his client safe in an unknown location. The reason they had not made the change of residence were the same reasons Binger wanted them revealed for the sake of the new Antioch resident: they were concerned with the safety of Rittenhouse and what could happen if his client was discovered. 

Richards went on to state that Rittenhouse will be making his court appearances and will be working to clear his name. 

“He looks forward to litigating these offenses in Your Honor’s courtroom,” said Richards. 

Presiding over the hearing was Kenosha County Judge Bruce Schroeder. After listening to arguments made by Binger and Richards, he decided to decline issuing an arrest warrant for Rittenhouse due to Binger’s failure to follow through on several important factors.  

Rittenhouse may have been released on conditions, but he had not committed a serious crime since release and Binger had not provided a copy of the complaint concerning that crime. 

“You’re short two conditions,” said Schroeder. 

Schroeder also stated that he’d be “breaking the law” if he signed off on an arrest warrant for a defendant who had appeared at every hearing. He also acknowledged that there are many defendants out on bond who have lied about their current living residence, who also travel quite freely, and Schroeder has never signed off on their arrest. 

Despite the seriousness of the accusations, Shroeder said he did not feel right holding Rittenhouse to different standards than every other defendant he has interacted with. 

Also present at the hearing were Gaige Grosskreutz, who was shot by Rittenhouse at the Kenosha protest, and John Huber, whose son Anthony had been shot and killed. 

When given the opportunity to make a statement, Huber described the extreme pain and anger he felt towards Rittenhouse for the loss of his son. Huber also asked that the bond by raised so that Rittenhouse would not be able to post bail a second time. Huber stated he felt that Rittenhouse had not displayed any remorse regarding the death of his son, and did not want to see the defendant having the ability to enjoy his time at bars while his own family grieved. 

“My wife and I lost our son,” said Huber. “And he’s making videos and living it up in bars.” 

Gaige Grosskreutz echoed Huber’s frustration at Rittenhouse’s lack of remorse as well a request for an increase in bond.