“He’s relieved, and he looks forward to getting on with his life,” Mr. Rittenhouse, who is now 18, had left the courthouse immediately after the verdict. Mark Richards, a defense lawyer, said in an interview that Mr. Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two men and wounded another amid protests in Kenosha, Wis., was found not guilty of homicide and other charges. As evening fell, only a few demonstrators holding signs remained on the courthouse steps. Tony Evers had prepared for any unrest after the verdict by authorizing 500 Wisconsin Army National Guard troops. Outside the courthouse, quiet gave way to shouts from supporters of Mr. Several jurors, appearing fatigued, shifted uncomfortably in their seats or folded their arms across their chests. Rittenhouse fatally shot clutched each other’s hands and wept. Rittenhouse’s mother and sisters cried, and friends and family of the men Mr. Shortly after noon on Friday, the jury forewoman, wearing a jean jacket and a face mask, handed the verdicts to a court official, who passed them to Judge Bruce Schroeder for review. Republicans, like Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, said that “justice has been served.” Rebecca Kleefisch, the leading Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor, said that “the justice system worked” and called the prosecution “a complete disgrace.” “The jury system works, and we have to abide by it.” “I stand by what the jury has concluded,” he told reporters earlier. President Biden said the acquittal would “leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included,” but he also urged demonstrators to remain peaceful. Gavin Newsom of California, said the verdict served as a message to “armed vigilantes” that “you can break the law, carry around weapons built for a military, shoot and kill people, and get away with it.”

The case reflected the sharp split in the country, and political leaders and others weighed in almost immediately, conservatives deeming it a win for the notion of self-defense and liberals labeling it a failure of the criminal justice system. “So many people look at this case and they see what they want to see,” Thomas Binger, the prosecutor in the trial, had cautioned jurors before they began deliberations. Carlos Javier Ortiz for The New York Times

Justin Blake, upper left, Jacob Blake’s uncle, and others listen to the verdict while standing outside the Kenosha County Courthouse. OK folks, your job is done, and we started just about three weeks ago.” Rittenhouse, not guilty.” “Members of the jury, these your unanimous verdicts?” “Yes.” “Is there anyone who does not agree with the verdicts as read?” “No.” “ the jury pool. As to the fifth count of the information, Gaige Grosskreutz, we, the jury, find the defendant, Kyle H. As to the fourth count of the information, Anthony Huber, we, the jury, find the defendant, Kyle H. As to the third count of the information, unknown male, we, the jury, find the defendant, Kyle H. As to the second count of the information, Richard McGinnis, we the jury find the defendant, Kyle H. “The defendant will rise to face the jury and hearken to its verdicts.” “As to the first count of the information, Joseph Rosenbaum, we the jury, find the defendant, Kyle H. Transcript Kyle Rittenhouse Found Not Guilty in Fatal Kenosha Shooting Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, sobbed and hugged his lawyers after being found not guilty for fatally shooting two men and wounding another during protests last year over police conduct in Kenosha, Wis.

Rittenhouse memes not guilty