Rittenhouse Takes the Stand in Own Murder Trial

Eighteen-year old Kyle Rittenhouse, who is standing trial on homicide charges stemming from protests and violence in Wisconsin last summer, took the stand in his own defense Wednesday.

Rittenhouse said he was acting in self-defense and "didn't intend to kill" when he shot and killed two men and injured a third during a chaotic night in Kenosha last August. He also described how he went to Kenosha with a rifle and medical supplies to try to defend businesses and help wounded people amid the violence. Rittenhouse began sobbing and struggling to speak at one point during the testimony, prompting the judge to call a brief recess. The defense then called for a mistrial over the prosecution's purportedly out-of-line questioning; the judge didn't immediately respond to the request. At the end of Wednesday's court, the judge said he was confident the case would be finished by early next week.

Rittenhouse's testimony was covered prominently across the spectrum. Many sources, regardless of bias rating, offered balanced and thorough reporting of the courtroom situation, details of the case, and various testimonies. Right-rated outlets often highlighted how the judge criticized the prosecution's line of questioning and accusing the chief prosecutor of a "grave constitutional violation." Some left-rated sources framed Rittenhouse's statement that he "didn't do anything wrong" skeptically.