Kenosha police issue citations to individual suspected of trying to photograph jurors in Rittenhouse trial

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Kenosha Police Department announced Thursday, Nov. 18, that an individual was briefly taken into custody and issued citations for allegedly trying to photograph jurors involved in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.

Police said the incident occurred the night of Wednesday, Nov. 17. According to the department, the person was detained and issued several traffic-related citations before being released.

KPD said they suspected the person was following the bus containing jurors and trying to photograph them.

Judge Bruce Schroeder called lawyers for the state and defense back in the courtroom Thursday morning to discuss the matter.

According to Schroeder, the person in question identified themselves to be with either or NBC or MSNBC and that a producer in New York instructed them to follow the bus with jurors.

Judge Schroeder called the issue an "extremely serious matter" and said MSNBC would no longer be allowed inside the courthouse for the remainder of the trial.

Police add that there was no breach of security regarding the anonymous jurors involved in the Rittenhouse trial and that no photos were obtained by the individual.

Officials say the case remains under investigation by local authorities. 

A statement from NBC is below: 

"Last night, a freelancer received a traffic citation. While the traffic violation took place near the jury van, the freelancer never contacted or intended to contact the jurors during deliberations, and never photographed or intended to photograph them. We regret the incident and will fully cooperate with the authorities on any investigation.”