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Kyle Rittenhouse took the stand to testify under oath during his trial.
Rittenhouse is currently charged with one count of first-degree intentional homicide as well as other charges in the aftermath of riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Rittenhouse, who is 18 years old now, says he was defending himself from violent protesters during the three nights of riots.
Riots erupted after a police officer shot 29-year-old Jacob Blake. Blake was armed with a knife and ignored orders from police officers. Blake had a warrant for his arrest for charges of third-degree sexual assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct.
Rittenhouse chose to directly answer questions from the prosecution’s attorneys.
Warning: The following transcript contains graphic language that may not be appropriate for all readers. Discretion is advised.
WATCH:
“Describe first time threatened to kill you?” Richards asked.
“Me and Balch, Rosenbaum walking with steel chain, had blue mask around face, just mad about something, me and Balch asking if anyone needs medic, he screams if I catch any of you fuckers alone I will fucking kill you,” Rittenhouse answered.
“Friction between your group and others?” attorney Mark Richards asked Rittenhouse.
“Rosenbaum threatened to kill me twice,” Rittenhouse replied.
Richards: Friction between your group and others?
Rosenbaum threatened to kill me twice.
Ever seen him before, done anything to upset him?
No, no.
— Law of Self Defense (@LawSelfDefense) November 10, 2021
“Second threat outside Car Source, not sure to me but I heard it, said to Joann Fiedler, another guy, Collete, I’m going to cut your fucking hearts out, kill you N-words,” Rittenhouse said.
Kyle: Second threat outside Car Source, not sure to me but I heard it, said to Joann Fiedler, another guy, Collete, I'm going to cut your fucking hearts out, kill you N-words.
— Law of Self Defense (@LawSelfDefense) November 10, 2021
“When asked if he had any confrontation with protesters, Rittenhouse said: ‘The only type of stuff that happened was the person who tried to kill me threatened to kill me twice.’ Referring to Joseph Rosenbaum, the first man he killed,” she tweeted.
Rittenhouse breaks down crying on the stand, describing his fatal encounter with Rosenbaum. The court is taking a 10 minute break.
— Corri Hess (@CorriHess) November 10, 2021
When asked if he had any confrontation with protesters, Rittenhouse said: “The only type of stuff that happened was the person who tried to kill me threatened to kill me twice.” Referring to Joseph Rosenbaum, the first man he killed.
— Corri Hess (@CorriHess) November 10, 2021
