Beyond the Dome: Kyle Rittenhouse homicide trial

This Wednesday in Kenosha Washington, 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse testified self-defense for actions back in 2020 that left two people dead and one injured.

According to CNN, on Aug. 25, 2020, Rittenhouse was outside during a Black Lives Matter protest and in possession of an illegal firearm when he was approached by Joseph Rosenbaum, 36. Rittenhouse, 17 at the time, claims that Rosenbaum threw a plastic bag at him and began to chase him. That is when Rittenhouse pointed his rifle at Rosenbaum and fatally shot him.

"If I would have let Mr. Rosenbaum take my firearm from me, he would have used it and killed me with it and probably killed more people if I would have let him get my gun," Rittenhouse testified.

Part of this trial caught the attention of social media and criticism from people around the country, including Lebron James.

The judge called a brief pause in the trial when it was clear that Rittenhouse was not able to speak clearly due to an alleged “breakdown,” as Rittenhouse became visibly upset and had difficulty speaking.

James said Wednesday via Twitter, “What tears????? I didn’t see one. Man knock it off! That boy ate some lemon heads before walking into court.”

CNN reported, “​​Rittenhouse pleaded not guilty to six charges, including first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide and first-degree attempted intentional homicide. Judge Schroeder dismissed a curfew violation charge Tuesday, saying prosecutors had failed to present evidence to support it.”