re: Kyle Rittenhouse Trial - Day 7

You would think the events of the last 4 years would have convinced people the 'justice system' is rarely 'just'.

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If at this point, with all the evidence, if the jury thinks Kyle is guilty, him testifying or not wouldn’t matter.

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This was my thinking. The evidence is stacked overwhelmingly in his favor. Kyle would have to say something incredibly stupid in order to change that.

I still think it's too risky. I hope the defense had a damn good reason for it.

Maybe Kyle wanted to tell his side? maybe Kyle sees the media thinks the Jury is not on his side and doesnt want to sit in Jail saying "what if I went on stand". Maybe his defense advised him not to and he decided this all on his own.


In any-case, he made the decision and its time to let it all play out.


If there is good left in our country, he wins. Nothing else to say.

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Exactly.

Standing up to three nutjobs with a gun is not the same as being crossexamined by a prosecutor trying to punch holes in his story.

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Yeah, the prosecution team really has me worried. They couldn't even get THEIR WITNESSES TO TESTIFY THE WAY THEY WANTED!

Here's my prediction, the prosecutors will look very, very bad in the cross. Wouldn't surprise me if their cross is extremely short.

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Y'all... what if the judge allows the testimony to be stricken due to PTSD???

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Take the case of a victim of a violent crime taking the stand. Which typically is absolutely required if they're still alive. How often do you think the victim of a violent crime becomes emotional on a witness stand? The answer is more often than not. And there aren't mistrials or exclusion of the testimony in those instances. You already heard the judge ask the appropriate questions to test for reliability along those lines, they were the ones about alcohol or drug influence during this testimony. Those things if found later are an issue. Not becoming emotional because you're coming across as the actual victim.

And I can assure you that the guy's attorneys expected him to become emotional to some extent. You've exaggerated the issue which is why you've gotten numerous responses.

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Here's my prediction, the prosecutors will look very, very bad in the cross. Wouldn't surprise me if their cross is extremely short.

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Definitely not a popular opinion, but I agree. They will come across as bullies.

Have to Chime in. I have not watched entire trial, but have followed. Interesting to see the difference in opinion on KR taking the stand. Having been in this situation, more than once, I would SUGGEST that this is one of, if not THE toughest decisions a defense attorney / client have to make. And I can see both sides of the coin regarding the ongoing discussion.

I am as a General premise that the jury WANTS to hear from the defendant. The judge can give all the instruction he / she wishes about "you can't hold his failure to testify against him", they not listening to that anyway. They do want to hear from the defendant.

Some are correct on the feeling that he will be subject to "brutal cross exam", yes he will. And I would not (if his lawyer) worry so much about the dramatic / emotional side as I would worry about a simple answer altering the course of what has occurred thus far. For example, I suspect none of us are 100 percent familiar with every pre trial ruling in this case. If something was prohibited before, one answer that seems / should be simple, can "open the door", and then potentially allow something into evidence previously excluded. (I do not know the "opening the door" case / jurisprudence to cite offhand)

On other hand, it's normally tough to put client on stand in a criminal case. Most do not have pristine criminal history, etc. Most have attitude, and think smartest person in the room. (why they are where they are). In cases like this, everything has gone correct. Why take the risk? Who knows. Perhaps it was the plan all along.

Bottom line, there is no correct bright line answer. No matter what the outcome.

It is not a 2+2=4 situation. Many variables.

just disputed GrossGrits's assertion that he re-racked the weapon

Oh good Lord. DO NOT give him the gun.

This is unbelievably stupid.