Judge Denies Request to Issue New Arrest Warrant and $200,000 Bond Increase for Kyle Rittenhouse

A new arrest warrant request for Kyle Rittenhouse, the Illinois teen who is accused of killing two people and injuring a third during the Jacob Blake protests last Summer, was rejected by a judge Thursday.

The request, which included a bail increase of $200,000, was filed by Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger, who argued that Rittenhouse violated his existing bail when he moved from his Antioch residence to a new location, but did not update the record of his address.

“This is a very unusual situation to have someone facing these types of charges, who has been released from custody,” said Binger.

Kenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder denied both requests, citing that the prosecution did not ask for a restriction on the defendant’s place of abode, nor was it ordered by the Judge in the first court appearance.

“I don’t think it’s correct to say the defendant is required to live at the Antioch address, or any other address,” said Judge Schroeder.

Judge Schroeder concluded that Rittenhouse was in violation by not updating his address or providing a forwarding address, but due to precedent, he would not order the arrest of Rittenhouse, as in every other case where a defendant failed to update their address for the courts no such order for arrest had been made.

Rittenhouse’s defense lawyer Mark Richards argued that his client has not been on the run, and has made every appearance required of him by the courts, and that he left his previous address due to threats on his life.

Among those in virtual attendance was Gaige Grosskruetz, the only survivor of the shooting, and John Huber, the father of Anthony Huber who was one of two people killed in the shooting. 

John Huber was visibly emotional during the course of the hearing, and appeared to give the middle finger after the Judge denied the prosecution’s request. 

“From the moment he became a killer, he thought he was above the law. He has no remorse,” said Huber.

The criminal complaint issued against Rittenhouse charges him with First Degree Reckless Homicide, two counts of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, First Degree Intentional Homicide, Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide, and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Person Under 18.

All counts are related to the events of August 25th, 2020. 

In a cell phone video taken that night during the protests and riots, Rittenhouse can be seen in the street holding a rifle and falling after being chased by three men, who he then shot. Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum died from their gunshot wounds and Gaige Grosskreutz was injured.

Rittenhouse and his defense pleaded not guilty to all charges, claiming the shootings were in self-defense.