The judge in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial dismissed the possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor charge Monday morning as closing arguments are expected to begin.
Rittenhouse, 18, who formerly resided in Antioch, is facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, first-degree reckless homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.
Rittenhouse’s defense team on Monday asked Kenosha County Judge Bruce Schroeder once again to dismiss count 6, possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.
Prosecutors objected to the request and Schroeder granted the dismissal of the charge due to state law that says people ages 16 and 17 can carry long-barreled rifles, but not short-barreled rifles.
Earlier in the trial, Schroeder dismissed Rittenhouse’s count 7, failure to comply with an emergency management order.
Jury instructions have been finalized and closing arguments by both sides are expected to begin Monday morning as the trial comes to a close.
On Friday, one of Kyle Rittenhouse’s attorneys said that the teen is in therapy and has post-traumatic stress disorder due to the Kenosha shootings last year.
The matter came up during the end of a Friday meeting between prosecutors, Rittenhouse’s defense team and Schroeder.
The jury was not present for Friday’s proceedings where jury instructions were discussed.
Schroeder was explaining to Rittenhouse how the jury being allowed to convict him on less serious charges could affect his case.
“You’re raising the risk of conviction, although you are avoiding the possibility that the jury will end up compromising on the more serious crime. And you’re also decreasing the risk that you’ll end up with a second trial because the jury is unable to agree,” Schroeder said.
Schroeder asked Rittenhouse several standard questions to make sure he understood what was happening. “Have you ever been treated for a mental or emotional disorder?” Schroeder asked.
Rittenhouse paused and whispered to one of his attorneys.
Mark Richards, Rittenhouse’s lead attorney, told Schroeder that Rittenhouse was in therapy as a result of the shootings and has post-traumatic stress disorder.