Judging the judges: Watchdog groups see spike in interest after Rittenhouse trial

A few weeks after the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, Michelle Garra signed up to volunteer with Court Watch PG, a Maryland-based organization that trains people to monitor trials to keep judges and prosecutors accountable.

Following the proceedings closely, Garra was particularly disturbed by how the judge operated, she said.

"It was surreal watching the judge coddle him like that. I've been in court, and they don't treat people like that," she said.

Garra, 50, asked herself before she reached out to become a court watcher, "If a high-profile...