Kyle Rittenhouse first in-person court appearance, retains new attorney

MADISON, Wis. (AP/CBS 58) — Kyle Rittenhouse, the Illinois man accused of killing two people during a protest in Wisconsin over the police shooting of Jacob Blake, made his first in-person court appearance Friday, May 21.

Attorneys say the November trial of Rittenhouse could take up to two weeks.

Rittenhouse's attorneys and prosecutors confirmed with Kenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce Schroeder during a status conference Friday that the trial will begin Nov. 1.

Ahead of the hearing, court documents show Rittenhouse retained a new attorney. He will now be represented by attorney Corey Chirafisi out of Madison. 

NEW: Kyle Rittenhouse has retained a new attorney. Document filed today shows he will be represented by Atty Corey Chirafisi out of Madison, WI. Rittenhouse is set to appear in person in Kenosha Court this morning. We’ll see how this impacts Nov. trial date #kenosha#rittenhouse

— Kristen Barbaresi (@KristenBarbar) May 21, 2021

Rittenhouse is charged with killing two men and wounding a third during the August protests. Rittenhouse was 17 at the time.

He maintains he was defending himself. COVID-19 protocols forced Rittenhouse to make his earlier court appearances virtually but those restrictions have now been lifted.