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A Wisconson judge on Thursday denied a request to have Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse rearrested, despite complaints from prosecutors that the teen violated the terms of his release by moving.

Judge Bruce Schroeder ordered the 18-year-old suspect to report his new digs to the sheriff’s department but said he did not forfeit his freedom when he packed up and moved.

“To issue a warrant now for a defendant who has appeared at every hearing, I’d be breaking the law,” the judge said during a live-streamed hearing. “And I’m not going to do it.”

“After what this town has been through in the last six months, I don’t want any more problems,” Schroeder said. “The police don’t want any more problems.”

Rittenhouse is facing murder and attempted murder charges in the Aug. 25 shooting death of two Black Lives Matter protesters and the wounding of a third.

The teenager was with armed militia groups guarding businesses in Kenosha amid looting after the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

When confronted by protesters on the night of the fatal incident, Rittenhouse shot and killed Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, and wounded Gaige Grosskreutz in the encounter.

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Court documents show Kyle Rittenhouse going out in a Racine bar.
Kyle Rittenhouse allegedly flashed white-power symbols while downing beers with members of the Proud Boys.Kenosha County DA's Office
Court documents show Kyle Rittenhouse going out in Pudgy’s Pub in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.
Court documents show Kyle Rittenhouse going out in Pudgy’s Pub in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.Kenosha County DA's Office
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Rittenhouse is free on a $2 million bond, most of it raised by supporters.

But prosecutors cried foul when Rittenhouse moved out of his home in Antioch, Illinois and into what his lawyers described as a “safe house” due to death threats.

“All it takes is one crackpot and it’s a problem,” defense attorney Mark Richards said. “There’s a substantial bond posted by people who support Kyle Rittenhouse.”

The district attorney’s office wanted the bond increased by $200,000, and the teen re-arrested until he is able to come up with the additional money.

Huber’s father, John Huber, Grosskreutz, and lawyers for Huber and Rosenbaum all took part in Thursday’s livestreamed court hearing.


  Kyle Rittenhouse moved out of his home in Antioch, Illinois to a “safe house” after receiving death threats, his lawyers claimed. Antioch Police Department/Chicago Tribune via AP Kyle Rittenhouse moved out of his home in Antioch, Illinois to a “safe house” after receiving death threats, his lawyers claimed. Antioch Police Department/Chicago Tribune via AP

“This kid, we don’t know where he is,” Huber said. “You don’t know where he lives. Nobody in that court knows where he lives.”

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger also argued that Rittenhouse has flaunted his freedom since being released on bond, including showing up in a bar with his parents with a shirt that said, “Free as F–k,” and throwing white supremacist hand signs.

Binger said the teenager is now using a PO Box which is in neither Illinois, where he was living, or Wisconsin, where the shooting took place.

“We don’t know where an accused murderer is,” Binger said. “That’s the bottom line.”

“I’m simply asking that this defendant be treated like anyone else,” he said. “Every defendant is required to provide this information.”


  Kyle Rittenhouse (left) carries a weapon as he walks in Kenosha, Wisconsin during a night of unrest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. AP Kyle Rittenhouse (left) carries a weapon as he walks in Kenosha, Wisconsin during a night of unrest following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. AP

Schroeder acknowledged that Rittenhouse violated the terms of the bond by not reporting to the court that he had moved — but said it wasn’t enough to have him rearrested or have his bond amount increased.

“Most of the people who are out on bond, we don’t know where they are,” he said.

Richards, meanwhile, assured the court his client wouldn’t miss a hearing.

“My client will appear,” he said. “He looks forward to litigating these offenses in your honor’s courtroom. We have nothing to fear. The truth will set my client free.”

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