Beyond the Dome: Following closing arguments, courtroom and country await Rittenhouse trial verdict

Kenosha, Wisc. shooter Kyle Rittenhouse — who killed two and injured another at protests after the police shooting of Jacob Blake — faces trial this week for those crimes committed in August of 2020.

Rittenhouse’s image was plastered across the internet last year, showing the shooter brandishing an AR-style semi-automatic on the streets of Kenosha, where the protests took place.

While the judge has since dismissed a count of possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18, Rittenhouse still faces charges of First-Degree Reckless Homicide, two counts of First-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety and First-Degree Intentional Homicide.

Rittenhouse is arguing self-defense, according to AP; “Rittenhouse’s attorneys say he came to Kenosha not to hurt anyone but to protect businesses from damage and looting. And they say the people he shot left him no choice.”

While America waits with both sides of the courtroom for the highly anticipated verdict, the decision can mean much more than “guilty” or “not guilty.”