Legal experts react to Rittenhouse testimony as jury nears deliberations

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- As the defense rests its case, the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse will rely heavily on his testimony. Legal experts are split on the outcome of the trial.

Testimony on Thursday, Nov. 11, focused on video that shows how the shootings occurred in a matter of seconds. However, it's testimony from Rittenhouse that may slow down the events for the jury and take them into his mind and decision making.

The attorney for one of the men he shot, thinks the 18-year-old wasn't effective during his time on the witness stand. 

"His testimony... it seemed frankly unauthentic at times," said Kim Motley, attorney for Gaige Grosskreutz.

Kim Motley represents Gaige Grosskreutz. Motley believes the prosecution made points in favor of homicide charges, but noted it's on Rittenhouse and his lawyers to prove a need for self-defense. 

"It's clear that you know he wasn’t in fear of his life which is the standard that allows a person to use lethal force," said Motley. 

Other lawyers believe Rittenhouse said all the right things to make his self-defense position clear to the jury. 

"The words he said, I think, met the legal definition of self-defense," said Julius Kim, a defense attorney and former prosecutor. "It's just if the jury truly believes that that's what's going through his mind is obviously the million-dollar question here." 

The million-dollar question will be determined during deliberations.