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Pinback

(12,134 posts)
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:24 PM Nov 2021

"Kyle Rittenhouse Has Gotten Away With Murder--as Predicted"

- Rittenhouse’s acquittal is not a “miscarriage” of justice, as some might claim. It is our white justice system working as intended.
by Elie Mystal, 11/19/2021, The Nation

Kyle Rittenhouse, who was 17 years old when he shot three people, killing two, officially got away with murder. A jury of his white peers ruled that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense when he illegally acquired a gun, traveled across state lines, lied about his status as a medic, pointed his gun at protesters, and then used it to kill others.

The verdict is not surprising, if you are familiar with how the criminal justice system works for white people. Wisconsin Judge Bruce Schroeder, who presided over the Rittenhouse trial, consistently made rulings in the best interest of the white gunman. He refused to punish Rittenhouse for violating the terms of his bail; excluded evidence of Rittenhouse’s behavior before and after the shooting that spoke to his intent and lack of remorse; allowed the defense to mischaracterize the people Rittenhouse killed as “rioters”; yelled at prosecutors in front of the jury; dismissed an illegal gun charge against the gunman; and had the jury clap for one of Rittenhouse’s expert witnesses.

Others might want to argue about why Schroeder was biased toward the defendant (I think the judge’s MAGA ringtones and off-color jokes tell you all you need to know about why he was sympathetic to a white gunman who shot up anti–police violence protesters at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement). But that he was biased towards Rittenhouse was obvious to those watching the trial without blinders.

Still, a sympathetic judge and a predominately white jury are just standard gifts the criminal justice system gives to white boys accused of criminal violence. Rittenhouse also enjoyed hero status among white supremacists and Republicans as well as favorable media coverage from Fox News and The New York Times.

More at link: https://www.thenation.com/article/society/kyle-rittenhouse-verdict/
18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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"Kyle Rittenhouse Has Gotten Away With Murder--as Predicted" (Original Post) Pinback Nov 2021 OP
Great article. spicysista Nov 2021 #1
I don't know if that would be good cilla4progress Nov 2021 #3
Oh my goodness, you are absolutely right. spicysista Nov 2021 #14
Yes - for those not familiar with Elie Mystal: Pinback Nov 2021 #5
Now he can run for office PXR-5 Nov 2021 #2
A high school dropout and complete loser. Prof. Toru Tanaka Nov 2021 #7
We have Sanders stickers on our vehicles. Prof. Toru Tanaka Nov 2021 #4
I fear it won't be long before someone provokes a large crowd Harker Nov 2021 #15
Thank you, Harker and the same to you and yours. Prof. Toru Tanaka Nov 2021 #17
Sums it up for me underpants Nov 2021 #6
"Man accused of buying guns in Kenosha, Wis., shooting to stand trial" Pinback Nov 2021 #11
Thanks. underpants Nov 2021 #12
From the article: notinkansas Nov 2021 #8
If I lived in Kenosha, I sure as hell would not feel safe tonight. Scottie Mom Nov 2021 #9
"Bury the rag deep in your face, now is the time for your tears" Walleye Nov 2021 #10
GOPlague hicksville America has legalized killing protestors traitorsgalore Nov 2021 #13
So now if BLM has a demonstration in Columbus the Proud Boys doc03 Nov 2021 #16
And if protester fear for their lives and start carrying weapons? marie999 Nov 2021 #18

cilla4progress

(24,589 posts)
3. I don't know if that would be good
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:30 PM
Nov 2021

for his health. I just mean, he wears his emotions on his sleeve and I imagine he is livid. As we all are and should be.

spicysista

(1,663 posts)
14. Oh my goodness, you are absolutely right.
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:51 PM
Nov 2021

I guess that's why I love to hear/read/see him so much. However, you are absolutely correct.

Pinback

(12,134 posts)
5. Yes - for those not familiar with Elie Mystal:
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:31 PM
Nov 2021

Bio from the Type Media Center website:

Elie Mystal is an Alfred Knobler Fellow at Type Media Center, The Nation‘s Justice Correspondent—covering the courts, the criminal justice system, and politics—and the force behind the magazine’s monthly column, “Objection!”

Mystal is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, a former associate at Debevoise & Plimpton, and a lifelong New York Mets fans. One of those things is not like the others. Prior to joining Type Media Center, Mystal was the executive editor of Above the Law. He’s a frequent guest on MSNBC and Sirius XM. He will resist.

He can be followed @ElieNYC.

Prof. Toru Tanaka

(1,924 posts)
4. We have Sanders stickers on our vehicles.
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:31 PM
Nov 2021


I don't ever want to have to use one but this is it. My spouse and I are getting a weapon for self-protection.

This verdict is not good,not good at all. There are extremists out there who are going to be emboldened by this.

Stay safe, fellow DUers.

Harker

(13,880 posts)
15. I fear it won't be long before someone provokes a large crowd
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:59 PM
Nov 2021

to give pursuit, then turns back to empty a full clip into them.

It'll get uglier quickly. Bloodlust and violent fantasies abound.

You be safe, Professor.

Prof. Toru Tanaka

(1,924 posts)
17. Thank you, Harker and the same to you and yours.
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 05:31 PM
Nov 2021



Your second sentence is very true and it is disturbing. There are people out there itching to act out and I feel a lot of it isn't political but simple anger and dissatisfaction with their own lives.

Pinback

(12,134 posts)
11. "Man accused of buying guns in Kenosha, Wis., shooting to stand trial"
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:44 PM
Nov 2021

- By Danielle Haynes, UPI, Nov. 19, 2021

Nov. 19 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin commissioner said Thursday a Kenosha man will stand trial on charges that he bought the firearms police say Kyle Rittenhouse used to kill two protesters and injure a third almost three months ago.
(SNIP)
County prosecutors said Black told authorities he purchased the AR-15-style rifle Rittenhouse used on Aug. 25 during a protest against police brutality and racial bias that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Authorities say Rittenhouse, 17, of Antioch, Ill., gave Black the money to buy the gun because he wasn't old enough to buy it himself.

Rittenhouse and Black both told police they volunteered to provide security for a business called Car Source. The owner told police he never asked them to guard his business.

The two allegedly retrieved the gun from the home of Black's stepfather before attending the protest.

Black's stepfather told police he didn't approve of his stepson buying the gun and required it be kept locked in a safe in his home. He moved it to the basement during protests on Aug. 24 and said he wasn't aware the two retrieved it the next night.

- More at link: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2020/11/19/Man-accused-of-buying-guns-in-Kenosha-Wis-shooting-to-stand-trial/3271605810316/

I've read that supposedly a minor can legally own a firearm in Wisconsin if it's used for hunting. Of course, this was an "AR-15-style rifle" and Rittenhouse ended up hunting humans with it... So we'll see how this one turns out.

notinkansas

(1,095 posts)
8. From the article:
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:40 PM
Nov 2021
There is no justice. And there is no peace. And if you complain about that, white people will show up to shoot you. Just like a majority of white people want them to.

I would take issue with that statement. The number of white people who feel that way cannot be in the majority.

But GOD FREAKIN' HELP US. The jury decision is a travesty of such magnitude - I can't even.

Scottie Mom

(5,812 posts)
9. If I lived in Kenosha, I sure as hell would not feel safe tonight.
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:41 PM
Nov 2021

Anyone can shoot and kill you and your family and say it was self-defense and very likely go free.

Fuck those assholes...judge, jury, cops, and most of all Rittenhouse.

Walleye

(30,724 posts)
10. "Bury the rag deep in your face, now is the time for your tears"
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:42 PM
Nov 2021

The Lonesome death of Hattie Carroll was what 60 years ago? We just keep going through this stuff over and over for some reason. How many generations of racists since then?

traitorsgalore

(1,390 posts)
13. GOPlague hicksville America has legalized killing protestors
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 04:50 PM
Nov 2021

Just another step in the GOPlague fascist march to power.

doc03

(35,148 posts)
16. So now if BLM has a demonstration in Columbus the Proud Boys
Fri Nov 19, 2021, 05:07 PM
Nov 2021

can load up their weapons, murder people and get away with it. Only in Murika

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