Use of force expert testifies Rittenhouse’s decision to shoot was reasonable



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A use of force expert testified that Kyle Rittenhousethe decision to shoot three people during a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last year was reasonable.

“A citizen in this position, given these indicators, would it be reasonable for him to believe that he was about to be attacked? Expert John Black said Tuesday at a preliminary hearing Tuesday. “I would say yes.”

Black spent hours describing the events leading up to Rittenhouse’s decisions to shoot Joseph Rosenbaum, Anthony Huber, and Gaige Grosskreutz on August 25, 2020. Rosenbaum and Huber died as a result and Grosskreutz was injured.

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Black testified that the video shows Rosenbaum chasing Rittenhouse and grabbing the teenager’s gun, Huber attacked Rittenhouse with a skateboard and tried to snatch his gun away, and Grosskreutz ran towards him with a pistol by hand.

Rittenhouse is due to stand trial from November 1 on several counts, including manslaughter. The 18-year-old claims he opened fire in self-defense after men attacked him during a riot following the police shooting against Jacob Blake.

Black added in his testimony that he studied the video from spectators of the guns at length, and noted that Rosenbaum chased Rittenhouse, threw a plastic bag at him and grabbed his gun.

“Now the gun is a potential weapon for both parties,” Black said. “Now we have a potential wrestling match.”

After shooting Rosenbaum, Rittenhouse ran down the street, according to video from a spectator. He tripped at one point and another man came up from the crowd and kicked Rittenhouse in the face, Black said. Rittenhouse also shot this man, but missed him.

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Huber then hit Rittenhouse in the neck with a skateboard and grabbed Rittenhouse’s gun, Black said. Rittenhouse then shot him. Grosskreutz then approached with his hands in the air, but also held a gun in his right hand. Rittenhouse then shot him in the arm.

Black said Rittenhouse maintains control of his weapon and does not shoot aimlessly at crowds.

Rittenhouse lead attorney Mark Richards is trying to persuade Kenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder to let Black testify at trial in November. Schroeder is waiting to make a decision until he also hears testimony from a prosecution expert on the use of force on October 25.

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Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger, meanwhile, argued that Black is an expert in the use of force by police, not civilians. Black replied that he had taught civilian self-defense courses.

Binger also asked if Rittenhouse would have been justified in using lethal force had he not had a gun. Black argued he was speculating, but said if Rittenhouse hadn’t been armed with a gun, he might not have been justified in using deadly force.

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Rittenhouse was 17 when he traveled from his home in Antioch, Ill., Approximately 20 miles to Kenosha on August 25, 2020, in response to a social media appeal to protect businesses there .

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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