The jury on Thursday delivered its verdict in a trial that has polarized American society: Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, is not guilty of the deaths of two men who were shot with a rifle during a turbulent night of protests that erupted in Kenosha in the summer of 2020 against police brutality and racism.
Rittenhouse said he acted in self-defense, while the prosecution argued that he instigated the acts of violence.
After knowing the verdict, the judge argued that they will protect Rittenhouse's life due to the controversy about how the trial has developed
The young man is a 17-year-old former police cadet when he came to Kenosha in what he said was an effort to protect property after protesters set fires and looted businesses the previous nights.
He shot and killed 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum and 26-year-old Anthony Huber and wounded Gaige Grosskreutz, now 28.
Rittenhouse is white, as are the people he shot.
The case has exposed deep divisions among Americans over guns, racial injustice, and self-defense in America.
Throughout the two weeks of trial, 18 potential jurors heard the testimony and arguments presented by the defense and the prosecution, in accordance with the custom of Wisconsin courts to include more people before choosing the 12 charged with reaching the verdict.
Rosenbaum randomly selected the six corresponding numbers from the eliminated jurors to make up the final group.