A Wisconsin judge on Wednesday delayed the trial for Kyle Rittenhouse by at least seven months. Rittenhouse’s trial was scheduled to begin March 29, however both sides informed Kenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder that they need additional time to prepare, according to The Associated Press. A status hearing has been scheduled for May 17, and the trial has been reset for November 1. Judge Schroeder warned both sides that the new trial date is not set in stone and could be set again at an even later date.
On August 25, Rittenhouse, who was 17 years old at the time, traveled from his home in Antioch, Illinois to Kenosha, Wisconsin after seeing a post by a local militia group seeking help in protecting businesses from people protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Blake was shot in the back by Kenosha officers and was left paralyzed from the waist down. During the protest, Rittenhouse opened fire on three protesters using an AR-15 style rifle. Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber were killed, and Gaige Grosskreutz was left wounded.
Rittenhouse was charged with a number of felony counts, including reckless homicide and reckless endangerment. He also faces a misdemeanor count of being a minor while possessing a firearm.
Many people around the country, including conservative politicians, hailed Rittenhouse a hero. His supporters, including members of law enforcement, politicians and religious leaders, raised $2 million to bail the teen out of jail in November.
After receiving death threats, Rittenhouse was moved last month to an undisclosed safe house. He will remain there until the start of his trial.