Judge: Men Shot By Rittenhouse Not ‘Victims,’ But ‘Rioters’ And ‘Looters’ During Arguments

Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Schroeder ruled Monday that prosecutors are barred from referring to the men shot by Kyle Rittenhouse as “victims,” while the defense team was permitted to refer to them as “rioters” and “looters.”

Judge Schroeder explained to Rittenhouse’s defense team that they may not refer to those shot in such terms during opening statements, but they can do so in closing arguments if evidence backs it up, The Chicago Tribune reported, according to The Hill.

“He can demonize them if he wants, if he thinks it will win points with the jury,” the judge reportedly said.

“The word victim is a loaded, loaded word,” Schroeder added, telling prosecution they can’t use the term “victim” to refer to those shot.

According to the Tribune, such restrictions are not uncommon in self-defense cases. The ruling, however, did upset prosecution – READ MORE