A Wisconsin jury could begin deliberating the fate of Kyle Rittenhouse on Monday after hearing what is expected to be starkly different theories of the same evidence in the homicide case with prosecutors set to portray the teen as a trouble-seeking active shooter to counter defense claims he shot three men, two fatally, in self-defense.
The closing arguments are scheduled to unfold in Kenosha County Circuit Court following a roughly 45-minute presentation from Judge Bruce Schroeder of instructions to the jury that will likely include allowing the panel to consider lesser charges against the 18-year-old.
MORE: Kyle Rittenhouse trial begins: Key takeaways from Day 1
On Friday, Schroeder told Rittenhouse he runs the risk of being convicted on the lesser charges if the jury finds him not guilty of the original counts of first-degree reckless homicide, first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety.
Prior to giving the jury instructions, Schroeder granted a defense motion on Monday morning to dismiss a charge of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18 after the prosecution agree that the rifle Rittenhouse used in the shooting did not meet the required standard of a short-barreled rifle under the law.
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Kyle Rittenhouse, makes his way to his seat at the beginning of the day of his trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse on Nov. 15, 2021 in Kenosha, Wis.
Rittenhouse was 17 and armed with a semiautomatic rifle at the time he shot and killed Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, and severely wounded Gaige Grosskreutz, 27, during an Aug. 25, 2020, protest in Kenosha.
During the trial, which began on Nov. 2, Rittenhouse testified that he shot all three men in self-defense as they and others attacked him during the demonstration over the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man who was left paralyzed.
Following the closing arguments, court officials will draw names to determine which of the 18 jurors who heard the evidence will be among the 12 that will deliberate on a verdict.
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Kyle Rittenhouse's mother, Wendy, second from left center, sits with Jo-Ellan Dimitrious, a jury expert, center left, along with her daughters Faith, third from left center, and McKenzie, center right, during Kyle Rittenhouse's trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse on Nov. 15, 2021 in Kenosha, Wis.
"I didn't intend to kill them. I intended to stop the people who were attacking me," Rittenhouse repeatedly said during his testimony last week as he erupted in sobs on the witness stand.
Sean Krajacic/Pool/Reuters
Mark Richards, lead attorney for Kyle Rittenhouse, left, speaks with Jo-Ellan Dimitrious, second from left, before the start of the day during Kyle Rittenhouse's trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse on Nov. 15, 2021 in Kenosha, Wis.
Rittenhouse, who said he was a former lifeguard and firefighter EMT cadet, said he went to Kenosha that night to provide first aid to people in need and help protect businesses after looting and vandalism broke out in the city, saying he brought his medical supplies along with his AR-15-style rifle and 30-round ammunition clip.
MORE: Kyle Rittenhouse trial, Ahmaud Arbery case both expected to hinge on video
During the trial, prosecutors leaned heavily on video, showing multiple angles to all three shootings, including Huber hitting Rittenhouse twice with a skateboard, Rosenbaum threatening to kill Rittenhouse and chasing him before he was shot dead, and Grosskreutz being shot as he approached the teenage armed with a loaded handgun.
Sean Krajacic/Pool via Reuters
Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger presents opening statements to the jury during the Kyle Rittenhouse trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wis., Nov. 2, 2021.
In advance of the verdict, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has authorized about 500 National Guard troops to be on standby to support public safety efforts if needed in Kenosha.