The attorney for Kyle Rittenhouse, who was found not guilty in the Kenosha shootings, has filed a request to get Rittenhouse’s AR-15 style rifle back, saying that the teen wants it destroyed.
Attorney Mark Richards filed a motion on Wednesday in Kenosha County Circuit Court.
Kenosha News reported that Richards said in the motion that he is seeking the return of Rittenhouse’s Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle, ammunition, a sling, the magazine from the gun, an iPhone, a cloth mask, and a $1 bill.
He is also seeking to have Rittenhouse’s clothing from the night of the shootings returned.
“Mr. Rittenhouse further wishes to ensure that the firearm in question is properly destroyed,” the motion said.
Rittenhouse’s belongings have remained in the custody of law enforcement in Kenosha since the day after the August 25, 2020, shootings, Kenosha News reported.
A court hearing is scheduled in front of Kenosha County Judge Bruce Schroeder on January 28, court records show.
Rittenhouse, 19, who previously lived in Antioch, had faced charges of first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, first-degree reckless homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide.
Rittenhouse was acquitted on all charges in November following approximately 25 hours of deliberations by a jury.
Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger had called Rittenhouse a “fraud” and “active shooter” during the trial.
Binger argued Rittenhouse provoked the shootings by threatening others.
“If you’re the one who’s threatening others, you lose the right to claim self-defense,” Binger said during closing arguments.
Rittenhouse shot and killed Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, on August 25, 2020, near 63rd Street and Sheridan Road in Kenosha during civil unrest sparked by the Jacob Blake police-involved shooting.
Rittenhouse also shot Gaige Grosskreutz, who was holding a handgun, on the night of August 25, 2020.
Richards said Rittenhouse acted in self-defense against a “mob.”
“Every person who was shot was attacking Kyle. One with a skateboard, one with his hands, one with his feet, one with his gun,” Richards said at trial.
Rittenhouse trembled and broke down in tears while the verdict was being read. He dropped down to a desk after he appeared to be overcome by emotion.
The trial came to a close 18 days after it started on November 1.