I have no doubt that Kyle Rittenhouse sincerely believed he was acting in self-defense. But do the facts bear that out? Consider the mind sets of the actors in the following three episodes:
- Rittenhouse has an AR-15, which he may or may not be pointing at the protesters. An angry unarmed man approaches him. Based on his demeanor and previous behavior, Rittenhouse believes he is attempting to grab his gun and shoot him. In other words, he is making the worst case assumption about the intentions of an unarmed man. But what about the unarmed man’s state of mind? Why should he assume that Rittenhouse has no interest in using his gun aggressively–to kill protesters without provocation? Isn’t he also making a worst case assumption, in all likelihood? Why is his assumption that self-defense is required less rational than the shooter’s?
- Rittenhouse shoots and kills the first man. A second man, armed only with a skateboard, approaches. Rittenhouse once again assumes that the man intends to kill him, and shoots him dead. But what about the man with the skateboard? In light of the fact that Rittenhouse has already killed one person, why wouldn’t he assume that he intends to kill many more, and that disarming him is the only solution?
- A third man, this time armed with a pistol, approaches and is shot by Rittenhouse. Once again, why wouldn’t he assume that Rittenhouse is a serial killer, who has to be disarmed in the name of public safety, and not just a kid who wants to protect private property from rioters and looters and thinks his life is in danger?
The bottom line here is that, in order to acquit Rittenhouse, the jury has to accept the defendant’s view of the likely motives of the victims, while ignoring the victims’ more reasonable perceptions of Rittenhouse. The difference between the two is that Rittenhouse created the dangerous situation by showing up with, and actually using, an AR-15. Acquitting him will send the message to the community that a right-winger with a gun is always entitled to the benefit of the doubt, regardless of the circumstances, while their victims are not. It will encourage the creation and expansion of right-wing militias, to the ultimate detriment of our political system.