MADISON, Washington (AP) – An 18-year-old Illinois man accused of killing two people and injuring a third during a police brutality protest in Wisconsin last summer fired a California lawyer who had been asking for money to in your case.
John Pierce, a Los Angeles lawyer, had been at the helm of Kyle Rittenhouse’s defense, helping raise money from the Conservatives to demand Rittenhouse’s $ 2 million bail. in November. He also hired attorney Mark Richards to handle the lawsuits in Wisconsin.
Rittenhouse, who is white and then 17, is accused of shooting three people in Kenosha, in August, while hundreds protested the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man. Rittenhouse, who had come to Kenosha from his home in nearby Antioch, Illinois, has argued that he was attacked and shot in self-defense.
A judge is studying whether to issue a new arrest warrant for Rittenhouse, after prosecutors said he violated his bail conditions. Prosecutors alleged that he did not notify the court of a change of address within 48 hours after the transfer.
Pierce withdrew from Rittenhouse’s criminal case in December after prosecutors alleged Pierce had “significant financial difficulties” and should not be allowed to raise money for Rittenhouse. He continued to be Rittenhouse’s attorney in civil matters
Rittenhouse fans tweeted on his FreeKyleUSA account Thursday that Rittenhouse fired Pierce Monday morning. Pierce confirmed this and tweeted that he had struggled with “every fiber” of his being for Rittenhouse.
Another tweet to FreeKyleUSA said Rittenhouse had hired another Los Angeles lawyer, Robert Barnes. Barnes confirmed the rental on Twitter Thursday evening.
“Happy to be part of the #KyleRittenhouse team. The child is innocent, and everyone knows it, ”tweeted Barnes.