Prosecutors want to change Kyle Rittenhouse's bail conditions after he was reportedly seen legally drinking with 'Proud Boys,' flashing 'white power' sign



Kenosha County prosecutors are seeking a modification to Kyle Rittenhouse's bail conditions after he was reportedly spotted out and about with members of the Proud Boys.

During the outing, the 18-year-old also reportedly flashed the "OK" hand sign, known as the "white power" gesture in certain circles.

Though prosecutors have admitted that none of these things are bail violations, they are moving to modify the bail to ensure he's not able to engage in such behaviors or fraternize with certain people again.

Rittenhouse posted a $2 million bail in November after facing charges of killing two people during an August riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

What are the details?

Kenosha County prosecutors filed a Wednesday motion seeking to modify the 18-year-old's bail conditions.

The move comes on the heels of witnesses reportedly seeing Rittenhouse drinking at a bar with his mother. It is legal to drink in the company of one's parents in Wisconsin.

Witnesses, however, are now saying that Rittenhouse wasn't just in the company of his mother — but with members of the Proud Boys, according to WTMJ-TV.

Business Insider reported, "Footage taken from security cameras at Pudgy's Bar also appears to show Rittenhouse flashing the 'OK' hand sign favored by white supremacists."

Rittenhouse — who was sporting a T-shirt that read "Free as f***" — reportedly flashed the sign while posing for pictures with other patrons at the bar. You can view one of the photos in question here.

WTMJ reported that he "drank several beers and was 'loudly serenaded' with the Proud Boys' official song at a Mount Pleasant bar."

Prosecutors are now arguing that while these things are not violations of Rittenhouse's bail conditions, they should be.

"In a motion to modify Rittenhouse's bond Wednesday, the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office details Rittenhouse's Jan. 5 visit to Pudgy's Pub with his mother," the station reported. "Rittenhouse stopped at the Mount Pleasant tavern shortly after pleading not guilty to homicide charges in connection to the Kenosha shooting. Rittenhouse's attorneys argue he fired his rifle in self-defense."

WTMJ obtained a copy of the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office, which requested the Rittenhouse be prohibited from consuming alcohol or being present in any establishment where alcohol is served, prohibited from displaying "white power" signs, and prohibited from having any contact whatsoever with members of violent or extremist groups.

You can read more on the filing here.

Rittenhouse is due back in court on March 10.

Kyle Rittenhouse makes first court appearance; his attorney fights extradition to Wisconsin



KyleRittenhouse, the 17-year-old from Illinois accused of fatally shooting two men during protests in Wisconsin last month, made his first court appearance on Friday. Rittenhouse's attorneys said they plan to fight extradition back to Wisconsin.

Rittenhouse, wearing a blue face mask and black sweatshirt on video, appeared remotely via Zoom at a Lake County Circuit Court hearing in Illinois on Friday morning. Rittenhouse was calling from a juvenile detention center in Vernon Hills, located north of Chicago, where he has been held since he surrendered to authorities.

Rittenhouse did not speak during the hearing other than saying "Good morning, your honor" to the judge.

Rittenhouse's attorney, John Pierce, who was also appearing remotely, said he intends to fight extradition. "We intend to challenge extradition by writ of habeas corpus," Pierce said. Pierce added that he would need 30 days to prepare a writ of habeas corpus, according to the Star Tribune.

"There is, as you probably know, there's an immense amount of video evidence and we really do need to be able to review that along with our client," Pierce told Lake County Judge Paul Novak. He added that the extradition would involve "issues of some complexity, frankly that have not arisen in the country for some time."

Judge Novak gave the defense 14 days to prepare legal filings ahead of an Oct. 9 hearing.

Mike Nerheim, the Lake County state's attorney, said that Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) had signed a warrant to return Rittenhouse to Wisconsin after a request was made by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D). Nerheim said he had received the warrant on Friday morning.

"We're ready to proceed," Nerheim said.

Rittenhouse has been charged as an adult charged in Kenosha County on two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of attempted intentional homicide. He was also charged with recklessly endangering the safety of two other victims and possessing a weapon while under the age of 18. If convicted of first-degree homicide, Rittenhouse faces life in prison.

Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Anthony Huber, 26, were both shot and killed during riots in Kenosha on Aug. 25, sparked by the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, who appeared to be armed with a handgun, was shot and wounded.

Rittenhouse's lawyers argue that he acted in self-defense.

Earlier this week, Rittenhouse's legal team released previously unseen footage from the night of the shootings.

Texas school under fire after one of its teachers lists Kyle Rittenhouse as a choice for 'hero for the modern age' assignment



A Texas school is facing criticism after one of its teacher's assignments listed Kyle Rittenhouse as a "hero for the modern age."

Rittenhouse — who is being tried as an adult — faces murder charges after he allegedly killed two rioters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and wounded another on Aug. 25 during ongoing protests.

His lawyer, John Pierce, said Rittenhouse acted in self-defense during the riots.

You can read more on the background of the case here.

What are the details?

According to Newsweek, students at W.T. White High School in Dallas were directed to complete the assignment, which named Rittenhouse — alongside people such as César Chávez, George Floyd, Mahatma Gandhi, Malcolm X, and Joseph D. Rosenbaum, one of the people Rittenhouse purportedly killed — as subjects of an assignment titled "Hero for the Modern Age."

Part one of the assignment directed students to choose a "hero" from the list and write a half-page biography about the subject.

Part two of the assignment directed students to write a page-long essay on the individual from the list who best demonstrates their "concept of a hero."

Needless to say, the assignment caused a ripple of concern throughout the school community.

A spokesperson for the Dallas Independent School District told the outlet, "An unapproved assignment posted in Google Classroom yesterday has been brought to our attention."

"Understandably," the statement continued, "this caused concern for the impacted students, and we apologize. Campus administration immediately removed the unapproved content and students are not required to complete that assignment."

The statement added, "Due to personnel policies, we are not able to comment further, however, the appropriate steps are being followed pending investigation. Racial equity is a top priority in Dallas ISD, and we remain committed to providing a robust teaching environment where all students can learn."

"It is important that we continue to be culturally sensitive to our diverse populations and provide a space of respect and values," the statement concluded.