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The Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial continues this week as testimony from witnesses resume.
The only protestor to survive the Rittenhouse shooting will take the stand this week with testimony that could play a crucial role in the trial.
Last week Rittenhouse’s lawyer Mark Richards said the young teenager could take the stand in his defense, allowing the 18-year-old some say into his mindset during the night of the deadly shootings.
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But some experts warn that this move would be a mistake by the defense. It leaves Rittenhouse open for a comprehensive cross-examination by prosecutors into his past actions and statements, which could be detrimental to Rittenhouse’s chances of acquittal.
If he takes the stand, he’d have to admit to killing two people. Even though it’s a self-defense claim, it could make him look bad to a jury.
During the highly publicized George Zimmerman trial for the murder of Trayvon Martin, Zimmerman’s lawyers decided to not allow him to take the stand. Zimmerman was eventually acquitted leaving many to believe the decision to keep him off the stand contributed to his ‘Not Guilty’ verdict.
Kyle Rittenhouse and George Zimmerman have a lot of similarities. Both men were propelled to hero status by conservatives after their shootings arrests and both men plead “Not Guilty” claiming self-defense as their reason for taking lives. Both trials will also test the boundaries of and rights of citizens when it pertains to self-defense.
Source: Kyle Rittenhouse Could Take The Stand In His Own Defense, But What Does This Mean For The Trial?
