The prosecution in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse was criticized by Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Schroeder yet again on Wednesday for apparent negligence.
The 18-year-old Rittenhouse is on trial for homicide and other charges related to the Shooting of three men on Aug. 25, 2020, during riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
On Wednesday afternoon, Rittenhouseās defense team made a motion asking for a mistrial āwithout prejudiceā (meaning prosecutors could refile charges) due to the prosecutionās alleged withholding of drone video from the night of the Shooting.
āWe didnāt have the quality of evidence that the state had until the case had been closed,ā defense attorney Corey Chirafisi told Schroeder.
According to reports, the defense originally received a lower-quality version of the drone footage and was not given the high-definition version until Saturday.
āOn Friday, the parties had rested, and we were going to open our closings on Monday,ā Chirafisi said. āWeāve talked to Mr. Rittenhouse, and Iām going to be asking the Court for a mistrial.ā
āWe watched the video. I can tell you what we think, but it doesnāt matter what we think, because we donāt get to present that to the jury anymore,ā he said.
āAnd I think if weāre going to try to do this in a way that is free from anybody hiding anything, anybody not having the same evidence as everybody else has ⦠we have to ask for this, and Iām asking for it.ā
The prosecutionās argument for why they never submitted high-definition footage of the Shooting didnāt seem to convince Schroeder.
According to the prosecution, Rittenhouseās first attorney was seen alongside the high-definition footage during an appearance on āTucker Carlson Tonight.ā
Prosecutors then said that when it came to obtaining the footage, they āwere not able to do so.ā
āWhat do you mean you couldnāt,ā Schroeder asked. āTucker Carlson has got it. You could have subpoenaed it, no?ā
The prosecution responded by claiming not to have known Carlson had obtained the footage.
This claim appears to be contradicted by the prosecutorsā previous admission that they were aware of the footage being played during an interview with Rittenhouseās former attorney.
āDid you inquire?ā Schroeder asked.
In response, the prosecution said they attempted to track down the individual who took the footage.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
