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No, the Judge Isn't Biased Toward Rittenhouse - This Is How He Has Always Handled Cases

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Liberals have been in meltdown mode claiming Wisconsin Judge Bruce Schroeder, who is presiding over the Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial, is biased in favor of the defendant.

But his conduct and rulings in the trial are consistent with those he’s made in the past, according to attorneys who have appeared in his courtroom.

At the top of the silly liberal complaints about Schroeder’s bias is that his phone’s ringtone is Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”

‘”God Bless the USA’ is the opening song played at every Trump rally,” tweeted author Mikel Jollett after the judge’s phone rang during the hearing Wednesday.

Similarly, left-wing independent journalist Aaron Rupar noted the song is played at Trump rallies, adding, “Draw your own conclusions.”

Democratic operative Jon Cooper tweeted, “BREAKING: Judge Schroeder’s cellphone ringtone was audible during the trial — and it was ‘God Bless the USA’ — the same song Trump plays on stage at his rallies… Retweet if he needs to be REPLACED for showing BIAS that favors the Defense?”

Of course, another explanation for the ringtone could be that Schroeder, 75, simply likes the 1984 hit song.

And what if he did vote for or likes former President Donald Trump? Does that make him somehow biased against justice being done in the case?

Doubtful.

Liberal judges tend to be the ones willing who bend the law to their desired social justice outcomes.

Another complaint against Schroeder is that he did not allow the prosecution to refer to the two people killed and the other injured as “victims,” saying it is a “loaded” term.

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He asked for terms like “decedents” or “complaining witnesses” to be used instead.

But as attorney Michael Cicchini, who has been practicing law in Kenosha before Schroeder for two decades, explained to The Washington Post, “That’s been a rule in his courtroom since Day One.”

“Whether the person is a victim is the very thing the prosecution has to prove,” he added.

Critics like CNN’s Chris Cuomo also do not like the way Schroeder has upbraided the prosecution at times during the trial.

One instance is when he told Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger on Wednesday, “Don’t get brazen with me,” when the prosecutor tried to justify bringing in evidence the judge had already ruled was inadmissible.

Schroeder also laid into Binger for questioning Rittenhouse, 18, about his post-arrest silence, which is a right guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

“The problem is this is a grave constitutional violation for you to talk about the defendant’s silence,” Schroeder said. “You’re right on the borderline, and you may be over, but it better stop.”

Criminal defense lawyer Chris Rose — who told the Post he has appeared before Schroeder “hundreds of times” — says the judge tends to be “more pro-defense than pro-prosecution in trial.”

Further, “The rulings he has made so far are consistent with what he has done in the past.”

CNN legal analyst Laura Coates offered additional perspective, saying it is common for prosecutors to take tongue lashings from judges as the attorneys try to push the jury toward a guilty verdict.

Another attorney who asked not to be named because he still practices law Schroeder’s courtroom described him to CNN as “old school.”

Do you think Rittenhouse should be found not guilty?

“That doesn’t mean that he’s old. I mean he’s 75 years old, which is older than most judges, but he’s just an old-school guy. He still operates his courtroom like it’s 1980,” the lawyer said.

The hallmark of the American criminal justice is that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty, and truthfully, if any of us were on trial, we’d want a judge actively making sure that presumption is upheld just like Schroeder has.

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 3,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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