Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) spoke out condemning the threats that have been made against the judge and jury in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. Johnson said, “Threats to a judge and jury are antithetical to the American justice system.”
Threats to a judge and jury are antithetical to the American justice system. All forms of intimidation should stop and any protests remain peaceful. Best to follow Sheriff David Beth’s advice and watch the trial on TV. pic.twitter.com/zR6AHyH1TS
— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) November 18, 2021
In his tweet, Johnson asked that if people protested they remain peaceful. He wrote, “All forms of intimidation should stop and any protests remain peaceful.”
The Rittenhouse jury entered the third day of deliberations in Kenosha, Wisconsin following a nearly two week long trial. Protesters and counter protesters have occupied the steps of the Kenosha courthouse at various times during the trial, with two being arrested on Wednesday following a scuffle.
Rittenhouse is accused of killing two, attempting to kill a third, and recklessly injuring another during an August 25, 2020 riot in Kenosha.
“I don’t think anybody is really concerned about rioting if Kyle Rittenhouse is convicted. Just like businesses didn’t board up in urban areas prior to the November 2020 election in case Joe Biden won.” Johnson went on, “The threats of violence come from the left. Let’s be honest about that.”
Jack Posobiec, the senior editor of Human Events, tweeted out that according to a source within the U.S. Marshals, two jurors are holding up proceedings, “outright citing backlash,” worried about the effect a verdict may have on their jobs and families.
Two jurors holding decision up, outright citing backlash, per US Marshal in Kenosha
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) November 16, 2021
One person was already confronted over video recording the jury and a press release from the local police stated that on Wednesday evening, “a person who is alleging to be affiliated with a national media outlet was briefly taken into custody and issued several traffic related citations. Police suspect this person was trying to photograph jurors. This incident is being investigated much further.” The person claimed to be affiliated with MSNBC News.
Last night a person who is alleging to be affiliated with a national media outlet was briefly taken into custody and issued several traffic related citations. Police suspect this person was trying to photograph jurors. This incident is being investigated much further.
— Kenosha Police Dept. (@KenoshaPolice) November 18, 2021
Following that incident, Judge Bruce Schroeder announced that no member of MSNBC will be allowed into the courtroom.
Schroeder said, “I have instructed that no one from MSNBC News will be permitted in this building for the duration of this trial. This is a very serious matter and I don’t know what the ultimate truth of it is, but absolutely it would go without much thinking that someone who is following the jury bus – that is an extremely serious matter and will be referred to the proper authorities for further action.”
Representative Bryan Steil (R-WI-01) has also spoken out against violent protesting and riots, condemning the unlawful actions in Kenosha in August of 2020 and expressed that people need to act in a “lawful manner” as the verdict is released, The Wisconsin Daily Star reported.
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Hayley Feland is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun and The Wisconsin Daily Star | Star News Network. Follow Hayley on Twitter or like her Facebook page. Send news tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Kenosha, Wisconsin” by Richie Diesterheft. CC BY 2.0.
