KENOSHA, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 10: Judge Bruce E. Schroeder rebukes Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger during the Kyle Rittenhouse trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse on November 10, 2021 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mark Hertzberg-Pool/Getty Images)
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UPDATED 12:20 PM PT – Thursday, November 18, 2021
All MSNBC staff has been barred from the Kenosha County courthouse after someone was caught following jurors in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.
Judge Bruce Schroeder made the announcement on Thursday after an incident Wednesday evening. Police said a driver was stopped for running a red light closely behind the jury transport bus.
The individual claimed to be a producer with NBC News and under the supervision of someone at MSNBC in New York City. NBC admitted the individual in question is a freelancer, but claimed he never intended to contact the jurors.
NBC News statement: “Last night, a freelancer received a traffic citation. While the traffic violation took place near the jury van, the freelancer never contacted or intended to contact the jurors during deliberations, and never photographed or intended to photograph them” (1/2)
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 18, 2021
Judge Schroeder voiced his frustration over the incident.
“This is a very serious matter and I don’t know what the ultimate truth of it is, but absolutely it would go without much thinking that someone who is following the jury, that is a very…it’s an extremely serious matter and will be referred to the proper authorities for further action,” said Schroeder.
This comes amid day three of jury deliberations. On Wednesday, the defense called for a mistrial without prejudice after it was discovered the prosecution provided low quality drone footage for evidence.
In the meantime, protesters have been gathering outside the courthouse both in opposition and support for Rittenhouse and several people have already been arrested.
