Judge Bruce Schroeder has been harshly criticized for his handling of Kyle Rittenhouse's homicide trial as the Kenosha proceedings continue to be broadcast nationwide by cable news.
Before the proceedings even started, there were worries that there would not be a fair trial after Schroeder ruled that those killed by Rittenhouse could not be called "victims," but they could be described as arsonists and looters.
Bess Levin of Vanity Fair noted that the criticism has only grown since then.
"Elsewhere in pretrial fun, Schroeder let Rittenhouse out on a $2 million bail, which was crowdfunded by people who think he did nothing wrong; refused to issue a new arrest warrant for Rittenhouse after prosecutors argued he had violated the terms of his bond; and said that he would allow the defense to introduce evidence of police officers telling the 17-year-old 'we appreciate you,'" Levin noted. "And that all happened before the trial got underway! Since it has, Schroeder has…seemed inclined to continue to go to bat for a kid who killed two people."
Here's some of what people are saying about Judge Schroeder:
I feel like the Judge is really holding himself back from congratulating Rittenhouse for his murders.— Wajahat Ali (@Wajahat Ali) 1636578320
If you want to see how justice often leans hard toward privilege, watch the judge in the Rittenhouse case. A deplorable example, indeed.— George Takei (@George Takei) 1636589867
Remember this: There is video made 2 weeks before the shootings in which Rittenhouse watches people leave a CVS and comments that he wished he had his rifle so he could shoot them because he thought they were shoplifters.\n\nThe judge isn\u2019t letting the jury hear that.— George Takei (@George Takei) 1636631609
I can't tell if this person in black robes speaking from the dais is really the judge or Kyle Rittenhouse's lawyer.— Charlotte Clymer \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Charlotte Clymer \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1636565833
Is the judge an unofficial member of the Rittenhouse defense?\n\nIt sure feels like it.— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!) 1636578526
Ten bucks says this Judge took Kyle Rittenhouse to Burger King after the shootings.— John Fugelsang (@John Fugelsang) 1636565860
Here's where I remind you that I told you what this Rittenhouse judge was gonna do two weeks ago before the trial started.\nThere were a few *very* *serious* *white* *men* who said I was being too quick to call Bruce Schroeder out, but I was never wrong.https://www.thenation.com/article/society/kyle-rittenhouse-judge/\u00a0\u2026— Elie Mystal (@Elie Mystal) 1636566209
Kyle Rittenhouse judge - Judge Schroeder is a real problem. He constantly interferes with cross-exam of Rittenhouse right from the start.— Shanlon Wu (@Shanlon Wu) 1636564187
It's really not hard to see these things coming. You just need a clear-eyed understanding of what white people are capable of in defense of their notion of supremacy.— Elie Mystal (@Elie Mystal) 1636566374
The judge is CLEARLY BIASED!!!!!!— @tiffanydcross (@@tiffanydcross) 1636563785
Kyle Rittenhouse is being CODDLED by this judge. \n\nRaise your hand if it makes you sick!— Jon Cooper \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Jon Cooper \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1636564554
If Kyle Rittenhouse was sleeping comfortably in Judge Schroeder's spare bedroom right now, I would not be shocked.— Geronimo: Get Vaxxed \ud83c\udf0a\u262e\ufe0f\ud83d\udc40\ud83d\udc15 (@Geronimo: Get Vaxxed \ud83c\udf0a\u262e\ufe0f\ud83d\udc40\ud83d\udc15) 1636607517
Has anyone made sure the judge in the Rittenhouse trial isn't his grandfather?— Cristela Alonzo (@Cristela Alonzo) 1636621775
Kyle Rittenhouse will be not guilty. The prosecution can\u2019t do their job properly with this judge. It\u2019s absolutely insane. That fucker deserves to be in jail.— Tony Posnanski (@Tony Posnanski) 1636566082
Rittenhouse judge knew verdict before the trial even started.— devon sawa (@devon sawa) 1636606474
This judge is inspiring\u2026more Kyle Rittenhouse\u2019s.— Adam Parkhomenko (@Adam Parkhomenko) 1636583847
