The Associated Press reports:
The murder case against Kyle Rittenhouse was thrown into jeopardy Wednesday when his lawyers asked for a mistrial over what appeared to be out-of-bounds questions asked of Rittenhouse by the chief prosecutor. The judge did not immediately rule on the request.
Rittenhouse lawyer Corey Chirafasi all but suggested prosecutors might be deliberately trying to cause a mistrial because this one is “going badly” for the prosecution and it wants a do-over. The defense asked for a mistrial with prejudice, meaning that if one is granted, Rittenhouse cannot be retried.
Yahoo News reports:
The motion for a mistrial was filed in response to Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger’s cross examination of Rittenhouse, which he began by implying that the defendant’s silence ahead of the trial was potentially incriminating.
Rittenhouse’s attorney objected to the line of questioning. After instructing the jury to leave the room, the judge sustained the defense’s objection and berated the prosecutor for implying Rittenhouse should be penalized for exercising his constitutional right to remain silent.
Coming back from lunch, Kyle Rittenhouse’s defense team argues that the prosecution is purposely aiming for a mistrial.
Meanwhile, the judge’s phone rings. The ringtone is Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem “God Bless the U.S.A” pic.twitter.com/xGY3dJd4e4
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) November 10, 2021
“A grave constitutional violation.”
Judges don’t just throw language like that around. It becomes fodder for mistrial or appeal. Jury was not present but that’s a significant moment.#Rittenhouse
— Chris Sadeghi (@chrissadeghi) November 10, 2021
Kyle Rittenhouse cries while testifying
He didnt cry when he got an illegal firearm & went across state lines
Or when he murdered 2 innocent people & took a casual stroll
Or when he violated bail & hung out with white supremacists
He cries now on trial for murder
Dont buy it
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) November 10, 2021
#Rittenhouse crossed state lines w/ an AR-15, violated a curfew. But defense got a concession from the Coroner, helped suggest 1 victim had a violent past, & now may have the jury sympathizing with Rittenhouse. https://t.co/rNnrHXu6zP
— Maya Wiley (@mayawiley) November 10, 2021
In more joyous times after killing two people. pic.twitter.com/neJTz3WTE5
— Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) November 10, 2021