In a statement released Friday, Attorneys representing the Kenosha Shooter Kyle Rittenhouse stated their client was justifiable in his use of force.

Pierce Bainbridge, a national firm joined the defense team featuring L. Linn Wood, who represented Nicholas Sandmann in his cases of defamation against the Washington Post and CNN, as well as other “top-tier criminal defense lawyers in Wisconsin.”

The statement placed the blame for the rise in violence squarely on the state and local law enforcement in their failure to maintain law and order in Kenosha.  Throughout the statement, they defend Rittenhouse as a good citizen who sought to protect life and property in the chaos sown by lawlessness in Kenosha.

“After Kyle finished his work that day as a community lifeguard in Kenosha, he wanted to help clean up some of the damage, so he and a friend went to the local public high school to remove graffiti by rioters. Later in the day, they received information about a call for help from a local business owner, whose downtown Kenosha auto dealership was largely destroyed by mob violence. The business owner needed help to protect what he had left of his life’s work, including two nearby mechanic’s shops. Kyle and a friend armed themselves with rifles due to the deadly violence gripping Kenosha and many other American cities, and headed to the business premises. The weapons were in Wisconsin and never crossed state lines.”

If true, this could end any and all prosecution against Rittenhouse as the accusation is that Rittenhouse brought the rifle used in the shooting to Kenosha.  Additionally, if the licensed owner was aware of and authorized Rittenhouse’s possession of the weapon, Rittenhouse would likely skirt any prosecution related to the possession and carry of the firearm.

The statement describes in detail we have not yet seen publicly that Rittenhouse had been pursued by rioters prior to the first video evidence.  As previously noted, Rittenhouse only fired AFTER he was fired on by the protestors.  Additionally, the statement (justifiably) paints those shot and killed as the aggressors and Rittenhouse as the victim.

“As Kyle proceeded towards the second mechanic’s shop, he was accosted by multiple rioters who recognized that he had been attempting to protect a business the mob wanted to destroy. This outraged the rioters and created a mob now determined to hurt Kyle. They began chasing him down. Kyle attempted to get away, but he could not do so quickly enough. Upon the sound of a gunshot behind him, Kyle turned and was immediately faced with an attacker lunging towards him and reaching for his rifle. He reacted instantaneously and justifiably with his weapon to protect himself, firing and striking the attacker.”

“Kyle stopped to ensure care for the wounded attacker but faced a growing mob gesturing towards him. He realized he needed to flee for his safety and his survival. Another attacker struck Kyle from behind as he fled down the street. Kyle turned as the mob pressed in on him and he fell to the ground. One attacker kicked Kyle on the ground while he was on the ground. Yet another bashed him over the head with a skateboard. Several rioters tried to disarm Kyle. In fear for his life and concerned the crowd would either continue to shoot at him or even use his own weapon against him, Kyle had no choice but to fire multiple rounds towards his immediate attackers, striking two, including one armed attacker. The rest of the mob began to disperse upon hearing the additional gunshots.”

In a poetic close, Attorney John Piece compared the actions of Rittenhouse to those of our nation’s founders.

“A 17-year old child should not have to take up arms in America to protect life and property.  That is the job of the state and local governments.  However, those governments have failed and law-abiding citizens have no choice but to protect their own communities as their forefathers did at Lexington and Concord in 1775.   Kyle is not a racist or white supremacist. He is a brave, patriotic, copassionate law- abiding American who loves his country and community.  He did nothing wrong.  He defended himself, which is a fundamental right of all Americans given by God and protected by law.  He is now in the crosshairs of institutional forces that are much more powerful than him.  But he will stand up to them and fight not only for himself, but for all Americans and their beloved Constitution.  We will never leave his side until he is victorious in that fight.”

As more details in the case are revealed, the less this case looks like a bloodthirsty white supremacist bent on killing and more like a kid who got caught up in the violent actions of rioters and justifiably defended himself. Time will tell as to whether or not Rittenhouse’s attorneys will be successful in defending him in trial, but now questions should be raised as to whether or not this case ever gets there before being dismissed.