Defense rests its case in trial of Kyle Rittenhouse
Updated: 4:47 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2021
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse is in its final stages. The defense wrapped its case Thursday, Nov. 11, but first called final witnesses, including a video expert who broke down exactly how quickly the shootings unfolded.
Dr. John Black, a use-of-force expert, testified about how he used several videos from the scenes to figure out how much time passed between each shot.
He told the jury that from when someone fired a shot in the air to when Rittenhouse fired the first shot at Joseph Rosenbaum, was just 2 and 3/4 seconds.
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Rittenhouse fired a total of four shots at Rosenbaum. Dr. Black says it took .739 seconds total.
Then the jury saw slow motion video of the Anthony Huber shooting. This comes a day after Rittenhouse testified that Huber grabbed his gun.
It comes a day after Rittenhouse testified that Huber tried to take his gun.
"He grabs my gun, I can feel the strap starting to come off my body," Rittenhouse said.
On cross-examination, the prosecutor had Dr. Black show a zoomed in, slowed down video of the moment Rittenhouse shot Gaige Grosskreutz
Though he is confident in his timeline, Dr. Black emphasized to the jury that video has limitations.
"The short answer is video has great value but it is not the experience or perception of the people involved in the event. It can't be," Dr. Black said.
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— Kristen Barbaresi (@KristenBarbar) November 11, 2021
Here is the slow motion, zoomed in video of the Gaige Grosskreutz shooting that the jury watched.
Dr. Black keeps it zoomed in, which is why it's not smooth.
Prosecution asked to see this video on cross exam.#KyleRittenhouse#RittenhouseTrialpic.twitter.com/VdceratCGo
Dr. Black emphasized to the jury that video can give timelines but has limitations.
"Camera movement, movement of people. So for example we can brighten it up or clarify it but you can't do that with your eyes so the short answer is video has great value but it is not the experience or perception of the people involved in the event. It can't be," Dr. Black said.
Evidence is now closed. Both sides agreed they want to do closing arguments Monday, Nov. 15, when the jury is fresh.
Friday, Nov. 12, attorneys and the judge will finalize jury instruction.
Monday, instruction will take 45 minutes, then each side has 2.5 hours for closing arguments.
Then the case goes to the jury.
Updated: 12:32 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2021
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Disagreements over witness testimony kicked off day nine of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial Thursday, Nov. 11. This, as the defense focused its questioning on timing of events surrounding the deadly shootings last August.
The defense called Dr. John Black, its use-of-force expert to analyze video of Aug. 25, 2020. But the prosecution accused the other side of disregarding the judge's pretrial ruling of what could be presented.
"If I'm being held to obey the court's order, I think the defense should be too," said Thomas Binger, prosecutor.
The judge resolved the issue and allowed Dr. Black's testimony, having the witness relabel and produce new reports.
Back on the stand, Dr. Black explained that mere seconds passed between the first gunshot fired in the air by Joshua Ziminski, to the first gunshot by Rittenhouse to Joseph Rosenbaum.
Dr. Black says this happened in roughly two seconds.
The prosecution initially did not want this witness to testify at trial, but the defense argued that this would help show the defendant was being "reactionary" when he shot the three men, killing two last year.
The defense still has a couple more witnesses to call to the stand.
The judge hopes the case will go to the jury tomorrow.
The defense's mistrial motion remains on the table.