Juror In Rittenhouse Trial Dismissed Over Jacob Blake Joke: Judge

KENOSHA COUNTY, WISCONSIN — A juror chosen to decide the fate of Kyle Rittenhouse was dismissed from the case over a joke he told to a court official.

Kenosha County Judge Bruce Schroeder addressed the issue prior Thursday morning. The joke, he said, had something to do with the shooting of Jacob Blake. He told the joke to a court official who was escorting him to his car earlier in the week, Schroeder said.

Schroeder asked the juror if he’d like to explain or expand upon the joke. The juror said, “no.”

“I will tell you that I’ve talked quite a bit about public confidence in the outcome of this trial … it is clear that the appearance of bias is present and it would seriously undermine the outcome of the case,” Schroeder said.

After Schroeder said the juror would need to step down, the juror spoke: “My feeling is that it (the joke) has nothing to do with this case and with Kyle and his seven charges.”

Schroeder said at the very least “it was very bad judgement to tell a joke of that nature.”

There are now 19 people sitting on the jury panel but only 12 will be tasked with delivering a verdict. The trial resumed Thursday following the judge's decision. You can follow along via the livestream below.

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Rittenhouse, 18, could face life in prison if a jury finds him guilty of fatally shooting two men and injuring a third on Aug. 25, 2020. He is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon and attempted first-degree intentional homicide.

• Kyle Rittenhouse Trial: Jury Sees Hours Of Videos From Shooting

On Wednesday, jurors saw hours of videos, some that were graphic and showed Anthony Huber, 26, Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Gabe Grosskreutz, 26, shortly after they were shot. Huber and Rosenbaum both died, and Grosskreutz was injured.

Kenosha Police Department Detective Martin Howard took the stand Wednesday, stating he collected the videos from the internet and witness' cell phones as part of his investigation. Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger played videos while Howard pointed out key people and locations for the jury, showing Rittenhouse's movements that night.

Late in the afternoon Wednesday, defense attorney Mark Richards began his cross-examination of Howard. Richards, who is claiming his client acted in self-defense, is expected to continue questioning Howard on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Richards honed in on the overall chaos from that night, as well as on attacks leveled against Rittenhouse prior to the shooting. Howard confirmed Rosenbaum chased Rittenhouse before Rittenhouse initially turned to point his weapon at him. Rosenbaum slowed down but then kept chasing Rittenhouse into the Car Source parking lot, where around 50 people, many armed with bats, were smashing cars and lighting vehicles on fire.

Video captures the sound of four gunshots and shows Rittenhouse backing away from Rosenbaum while other people come to his aid. As Rittenhouse runs away, crowds begin to follow him, pointing him out as the shooter.

Richards questioned Howard on Rittenhouse's reactions after he fell.

"When you are being kicked in the head, you don't know what's going to happen to you, is that a fair statement?" Richards said.

"That's correct," Howard said.

He went on to ask Howard if he'd know what to expect if someone was hitting him with a skateboard or "putting their hands on your weapon."

"You don't know, correct," Howard said.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.