Lead prosecutor Thomas Binger began his closing argument by noting that there has been quite a bit of “noise and a lot of static surrounding” this case. He reminded the jury that they swore they came into this case with no preconceived notions and promised to keep an open mind in order to make a decision based on the evidence.
“This is a case where a 17-year-old teenager killed two unarmed men and injured a third,” Binger said.
While walking the jury through the timeline of events, Binger began with the first fatal shooting. He replayed video from the scene and described what he called Rittenhouse’s provocation of Joseph Rosenbaum as Rittenhouse moved through the street carrying an AR-15.
“If you are the one that is threatening others, you lose the right to claim self-defense,” Binger stated.
Rosenbaum was shot four times. Binger described how he became incapacitated after the first shot hit him in the pelvis. Binger showed the jury that the second shot went through Rosenbaum’s hand, the third grazed his scalp, and the fourth, which he refers to as “the kill shot,” went through his back.
Binger disputed what he called the defense’s “cockamamie theory” that Rosenbaum tried to take Rittenhouse’s gun and intended to use it to shoot him, explaining that due to his injuries, it would have been impossible for Rosenbaum to seize the gun.
“He is helpless, he is vulnerable,” Binger said.
Describing Rittenhouse’s actions, Binger told the jury, “You cannot claim self-defense against a danger you create. That’s critical right here.”
“He doesn’t get a pass by pulling the trigger fast,” Binger continued, arguing that Rittenhouse is responsible for each bullet out of the gun. “He controls how quickly he pulls the trigger. He is in control of that decision-making process. No one else made him do that.”
Before breaking for lunch, the prosecutor indicated that he wanted to show further footage but was having technical issues. Court will resume at 12:45 p.m. Central Time (1:45 p.m. ET).
