The attorney for Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old charged with killing two people and injuring a third in Kenosha, asked the court for more time before determining if he will be sent to Wisconsin to face homicide charges.
Rittenhouse had his first court hearing, via Zoom, Friday morning in Lake County in Illinois. It was set to determine whether to send him to Wisconsin to face charges that could put him in prison for life.
His attorney, John Pierce, said he intends to challenge extradition, but he hasn’t yet received extradition papers from Wisconsin or Illinois.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
“There is going to be a lot of legal research involved in this, but we would respectfully ask for more time,” Pierce said.
Illinois Assistant State’s Attorney Ruth Lofthouse didn’t object to Pierce needing more time.
Pierce has until Oct. 8 to file his motion. Rittenhouse will appear again in court on Oct. 9.
Rittenhouse was arrested at his home in Antioch, Illinois, on Aug. 26, a day after prosecutors say he shot and killed two people and wounded a third, all of whom were protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha.
Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley filed six charges against Rittenhouse, including two counts of first-degree homicide and one count of attempted first-degree homicide.
Rittenhouse was also charged on two counts of recklessly endangering safety with a dangerous weapon and a minor in possession of a dangerous weapon.
Rittenhouse’s attorneys said he acted in self-defense.
Friday’s extradition hearing was originally scheduled for Aug. 28, but was moved after a judge agreed to the delay.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
