Kyle Rittenhouse has fired the California attorney who had been soliciting money for his case and helped raise bail after he objected to a...
Kyle Rittenhouse has fired the California attorney who had been soliciting money for his case and helped raise bail after he objected to a trust set up to handle donations for the teenager.
Rittenhouse, 18, was arrested and charged with shooting three people - and killing two of them - during police brutality protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020.
One of his attorneys, John Pierce, from Los Angeles, had been at the forefront of his defense and helped raise money from conservatives to post Rittenhouse's $2 million bail in November.
On Thursday, Rittenhouse supporters tweeted on their FreeKyleUSA account on that the teenager had fired Pierce on Monday morning.
Pierce confirmed as much, tweeting that he had fought with 'every fiber' of his being for Rittenhouse.
The FreeKyleUSA account claims that Pierce opposed the idea of Rittenhouse's supporters setting up a trust for the teenager, although why is unclear.
'John Pierce was terminated by Kyle on Monday morning. His association with FreeKyleUSA was also terminated,' the account tweeted.
'When we begin raising funds again, John Pierce has no involvement and is not connected in any way to the funds being raised. John does not speak for Kyle anymore. '
According to the FreeKyleUSA Twitter account, Pierce objected to supporters setting a trust for the teen to handle donations for the teenager
Pierce confirmed as much, tweeting that he had fought with 'every fiber' of his being for Rittenhouse
Pierce (pictured) removed himself from Rittenhouse's criminal case, but stayed on for civil matters, in December after prosecutors alleged Pierce had 'significant financial difficulties' and shouldn't be allowed to raise money for Rittenhouse
Pierce removed himself from Rittenhouse's criminal case in December after prosecutors alleged Pierce has 'significant financial difficulties' and shouldn't be allowed to raise money for Rittenhouse.
He remained Rittenhouse's attorney on civil matters
Another tweet on FreeKyleUSA said Rittenhouse had hired another Los Angeles attorney, Robert Barnes. Barnes confirmed the hire on Twitter on Thursday evening.
'Happy to join the #KyleRittenhouse team. Kid's innocent, and everybody knows it,' Barnes tweeted.
Rittenhouse, who is white, was 17 years old when he traveled from his home in Illinois to Wisconsin, where people were protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man.
He shot and killed two protestors, 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum and 26-year-old Anthony Huber.
A third protestor, Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, lost his bicep, but reconstructive surgery allowed him to keep his arm.
Rittenhouse has argued that the men attacked him and he fired in self-defense.
He was charged with 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.
It comes a judge considers whether or not to issue new arrest warrant for Rittenhouse, after prosecutors said he violated his bail conditions.
Rittenhouse is facing numerous charges after shooting three people, and killing two of them, during police brutality protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin in August 2020. Pictured: Rittenhouse carries a weapon as he walks along Sheridan Road in Kenosha
Rittenhouse has argued that the men attacked him and he fired in self-defense. Pictured: RIttenhouse has argued that the men he shot were attacking him and he fired in self-defense
The Kenosha County District Attorney's Office alleged he failed to inform the court of a change of address within 48 hours of moving.
When he released on bail, Rittenhouse listed his home address as being in the 200 block of Anita Terrace in Antioch.
But notice mailed to the home on December 22 was returned unclaimed on January 28, according to the motion filed by the District Attorneys Office.
When detectives visited the address on Tuesday, they said they spoke with a man who stated he moved into the apartment in mid-December and that Ritetnhouse no longer lives there.
But the motion claims te address was listed on the bond that Rittenhouse signed on January 22 and he failed to correct it.
Prosecutors asked that a warrant be issued for Rittenhouse's arrest and that his $2 million cash bond by another $200,000 and that Rittenhouse update his address in writing with the court's clerk.
Rittenhouse's Wisconsin-based attorney, Mark Richards, filed an objection to these motions.
It comes after prosecutors sought a new warrant for Rittenhouse's arrest after visiting the address provided to the court and finding out he doesn't live there. Pictured: Rittenhouse (right) pictured drinking after his release from jail
One of Rittenhouse's attorneys says he is an undisclosed 'safe house' due to numerous death threats he's received. Pictured: Rittenhouse flashing white supremacist signs at the bar following his release from jail.
He claims Rittenhouse is in an undisclosed 'safe house' due to numerous death threats he's received following the aftermath shootings.
Richards said Rittenhouse would provide his address to the court if the court can promise it will be be withheld from public record.
The Kenosha County District Attorney's Office filed a response on Thursday rejection the motion.
Rittenhouse 'apparently believes the rules do not apply to him' by refusing to provide his current address,' the office wrote.
'He is, after all, charged with murdering two people and severely injuring a third. Understandably this causes great concern in the community. The public has a right to know where he lives.
'Indeed, the defendant has already demonstrated his carefree attitude by going to a bar immediately after his arraignment on January 5, 2021 and drinking 3 beers in the company of known 'Proud Boys' while flashing white supremacist signs and wearing a 'Free as (expletive)' shirt.'
A final pre-trial hearing is scheduled to be held on March 10 and jury selection ise set to begin on March 29.
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