Kenosha County Judge Denies All Motions Against Kyle Rittenhouse

Kenosha County Judge Bruce J. Schroeder denied the motions to increase bail by 10% and issue an arrest warrant for Kyle Rittenhouse following Rittenhouse’s night out at a bar in Racine, WI. 

Issuing a warrant for Rittenhouse’s arrest would be unlawful, according to Schroeder. Rittenhouse appeared in court on Feb. 11, 2021, to face the motions presented by the prosecutor, Thomas Binger, and the attorney for the Rosenbaum estate, Kimberley Motley. The prosecution presented these motions because Rittenhouse had changed addresses without previously motioning it to the court, according to Binger. 

Rittenhouse’s defense attorney, Mark Richards, acknowledged that a motion was not filed to change Rittenhouse’s address within the court of law. However, nobody has ever had a 10% bail increase due to this type of violation, according to Schroeder. 

“We don’t know where he is,” said John Huber, father of shooting victim Anthony Huber. “[Schroeder] doesn’t know where he lives, nobody in that court knows where he lives.” 

On Aug. 25, 2020, Rittenhouse participated in the Kenosha riots following the shooting of Jacob Blake. He was defending his life and property, according to his former defense attorney John Pierce, when he fatally shot Joseph Rosenbaum and Huber and injured Gaige Grosskreutz. His original bond was set for $2 million, but he made it with help from his supporters. 

“From the beginning, from the moment he became a killer, he thought he was above the law,” said Huber. “He has no remorse for what he’s done.” 

Rittenhouse faced charges of first-degree reckless homicide, two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, first-degree intentional homicide, attempt first-degree intentional homicide, and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under the age of 18, according to the criminal complaint. 

Recently, witnesses saw Rittenhouse at a bar wearing a shirt that read “Free as f—”. He also posed for a picture with some supporters while flashing a white power sign, according to Motley. Rittenhouse has a pattern of showing a lack of remorse, according to Grosskreutz. 

“How would you feel if the killer of your son was just able to walk free and make videos in bars and live it up?” said Huber.  

Schroeder ordered that the actual physical location of Rittenhouse be made clear to the court, but the prosecutors do not need to know. Without knowing the physical location of the defendant, the prosecutors are unable to do their job, according to Binger. Huber was visibly upset upon Schroeder’s ultimate decision. 

Knowing the whereabouts of an accused murderer is crucial in making sure he is compliant with his bond, according to Binger and Motley. In response, Schroeder mentioned that this was the job of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s department.  

Rittenhouse was residing in Antioch, IL when the charges were first filed against him. Since then, he has moved. His new address is unknown to the court as well as the public, and the court has been reaching him through the use of a PO box, according to Binger. 

Richards mentioned that Rittenhouse’s whereabouts should remain unknown for his safety. Without the knowledge of his whereabouts, Rittenhouse has no incentives to follow his bond conditions, according to Binger. Binger also agrees and understands why Rittenhouse’s location must remain unknown to the public, however he said it should still be shared with the court. 

“All it takes is one crack pot and there’s a problem,” said Richards. “If he moves again, we will update that.” 

Richards also stated that his client has appeared for every court appearance and has done everything that has been asked of him.  

“We don’t know where an accused murderer is at, and that’s the bottom line here.” said Binger. 

The prosecutors also motioned for additional conditions to be added to the bail requirements such as the electronic monitoring of Rittenhouse, surrendering of a passport by Rittenhouse and limiting his movement to his attorney’s office, court and home. 

“We believe collectively as survivors that that increase should be a minimum of $4 million,” said Motley. 

Motley referred to the parties she was representing as ‘survivors’, because Schroeder made it clear that the term “victims” was not to be used in his court room.  

Motley also brought up another double-homicide case within Kenosha County involving a man of color, and his bond was set for $2.5 million. This prompted Schroder to clarify that he did not set that $2.5 million bond, he did not set Rittenhouse’s original $2 million bond and this case will not be determined based off of the color of someone’s skin. 

Schroeder acknowledged that Rittenhouse was in violation of not updating his address and that it needs to be addressed going forward. He also gave condolences to the grieving parties involved.