$2M bail for accused Wis. killer
The teenage gunman charged with killing two Black Lives Matter protesters in Wisconsin this summer walked out of jail Friday afternoon after posting $2 million bail.
Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, was released from custody around 2 p.m. and handed over to his own security detail after his attorneys posted bond on his behalf, according to the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department.
Supporters have been donating money for his bail, and a lawyer Friday said cash from former “Silver Spoons” and “NYPD Blue” actor Ricky Schroeder and My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell helped spring Rittenhouse.
“KYLE RITTENHOUSE IS OUT OF JAIL.” attorney Lin Wood tweeted. “God bless ALL who donated to help #FightBack raise required $2M cash bail. Special thanks to Actor Ricky Schroeder ... & Mike Lindell ... for putting us over the top.”
The Illinois teen faces a series of felony charges, including intentional homicide and reckless endangerment, in the shooting of three men during a chaotic protest on Aug. 25.
Two of the victims, Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, died that same night.
The civil unrest in the southern Wisconsin city of Kenosha was sparked by the police shooting of unarmed Black man Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse, who claims he fired his assault-style rifle in self-defense, tried fighting extradition from Illinois for two months before being transferred to the Kenosha County jail three weeks ago.
The case has turned into a rallying cry for gun-rights activists and far-right politicians who see the accused killer as a hero exercising his Second Amendment right to bear arms. His supporters launched a legal-defense fund.
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement, meanwhile, have described the teen as a domestic terrorist and white supremacist whose armed presence in a racial justice demonstration helped fuel more violence in the streets.
Cellphone videos from the scene appear to show Rittenhouse opening fire during a confrontation with protesters over his weapon.